Before Isaac was born to Sarah and Abraham in their old age, Abraham had fathered Hagar's son, Ishmael. This had come about because Abraham and Sarah had been concerned that they would never conceive in spite of God's promise that Abraham would father a nation.

Although they took things into their own hands, God gave them Isaac. When Sarah saw Isaac and Ishmael playing, she became concerned that Ishmael would take away Isaac's inheritance, so Hagar and Ishmael were sent away. God looked after them all and made nations of both of Abraham's sons. God keeps his promises. Let us not doubt.

Jesus had just healed the centurion's servant and Peter's mother-in-law. Then calmed the storm when he and his disciples were on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples were amazed at his power.

When they got out of the boat, two people believed to be possessed by evil spirits confronted Jesus. They recognised Jesus as the Son of God and challenged him to send them into the herd of swine. Jesus did so, and the pack with the evil spirits perished in the sea. The people were frightened of Jesus' power and asked him to leave their neighbourhood.

What do we think of Jesus' power?