Mark 9:21-24
“Jesus asked the boy’s father, ‘How long has he been like this?’ ‘From childhood,’ he answered. ‘It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.’ ‘If you can?’ said Jesus. Everything is possible for him who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'”
In John seventeen, Jesus begins His prayer by glorifying His Father in heaven and speaking of the things that have been fulfilled through Him, and that the time of His departure and return to be once more with His Father was very near. He then begins to pray for His disciples. Note what He has to say in verse 6 to the first part of verse 8: “I have revealed You to those whom You gave Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me and they obeyed Your Word. Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You. For I gave them the Words You gave Me and they accepted them.”
As I meditate on these words I think of that group of twelve disciples who behaved so much as we do today. Two steps forward and one step back. It causes me to wonder where our Lord’s confidence in them came from.
Many times when I have questions in my mind of this nature, I read back in Scripture looking for an answer. I think I found it in this case. In the previous chapter, John 16:29-30, we read of the disciples response to His teaching that He was going to be leaving them: “Then Jesus’ disciples said, ‘Now You are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that You know all things and that You do not even need to have anyone ask You questions. This makes us believe that You came from God.'”
As disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, we need to quit trying to figure out the impossible things that the Lord wants us to accept by faith. The Lord is the only One who knows our present situation as well as what lies ahead for us. Our greatest problem is looking at the situations of life – – – instead of looking at the One who is in control of our situations.
Our Scripture for today in Mark 9, records an incident in which a man brought his son to Jesus. The boy was possessed by an evil spirit. From a human perspective, there was no hope for the boy. But this father knew that if he brought his son to the Master, he could be healed.
Jesus told the father that everything was possible for him who believes. Watch the words of the father as he responds to Jesus: Mark. 9:24 ” – – I do believe; help me to overcome my unbelief.” We are told that Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and it left the boy. Jesus’ healing took place right after the confession of the boy’s father. We can paraphrase it as: “Lord I believe a little bit, but I need you to give me the power to believe totally.”
What is the impossible thing in your life that dominates your life. Let me tell you that you have three choices:
1. You can try to solve the problem with you own abilities and continue with the conflict you now are experiencing.
2. You can place it in the hands of the Lord, but still keep your focus on the impossible situation.
3. You can place it in His hands and then keep your eyes on Him. The choice is yours. I trust and pray that you make the third choice!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil