17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

18He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

It seems to me that this is a sobering reminder of what is really a cause for joy. Even power over evil, extreme power over extreme evil, is not a cause for joy. It may be a weapon or a tool or even a great responsibility, but a cause for joy it is not. Actually, I think Jesus is telling us, his disciples, that power is not a reason for joy, but unity with an all loving God is reason for joy. Perhaps we can even go so far as to say love with God = joy, and the rest is all dependent on or comes from that love.  

Jesus, help me to love you above all else, and live with you above all else.

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