David's son Absalom rose in rebellion and David had to flee Jerusalem. Everything had fallen apart; David was a fugitive. All of this was the aftermath of David's adulterous relationship with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband. If that were not enough, a man followed David along the road hurling insults and curses at him. We may have had our own world collapse on us - perhaps everything seemed hopeless - but we can follow David's example. He put himself totally into God's hands and accepted what came his way. In the end, David overcome all of his difficulties and returned to the throne of Israel. The path to success and happiness often passes through the valleys of struggle, pain, and desolation. Keep courage!

The man possessed by the legion of demons had lost his place in human society and community. His sense of self had been snuffed out. He lived in the tombs - the unclean realm of the dead - shunned by others. He was a portrait of loneliness and desperation. Jesus did not shrink from the impurity of the tombs or the negative energy of the demons. He saw only a man in need. By naming the demons, he began to exert power over them. When they had been expelled, the man was restored to human community and dignity. We can do the same by naming our fears and darkness. It is never too late; no one is ever too far gone. God will reach out to us in our desperation. Evil is only overcome by good and by compassion.