SCRIPTURE

Studied: Mark 9; Mark 10 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Mark 9:22-24 ~ The demon has often tried to kill him by throwing him into a fire or into water. Please have pity and help us if you can!” Jesus replied, “Why do you say `if you can’? Anything is possible for someone who has faith!” Right away the boy’s father shouted, “I do have faith! Please help me to have even more.”

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Although a familiar story about Jesus casting out the demon from the little boy brought to Him by his father, yet I found two nuggets that spoke to me:

1. Jesus’ disciples were unsuccessful in casting out the demon from the little boy, and when they questioned Jesus later about why this may have been the case, Jesus said that “Only prayer can force out that kind of demon”. I believe that too often in these days we see so much being said and done on television and in some of our churches that tend to lean on the abilities of man. I believe that healing comes from God alone, and until we humble ourselves and give God full reign over His people and their circumstances, then anything we do will be powerless. The power of healing comes from God, and in turn the glory of such healing must be given to God. We should never lose sight of that.
   
2. Too often we approach God like this father did. We know what we want God to do, but we are filled with so much doubt that God must ask sometime, well why are you here then? I believe that deep inside this dad wanted to have faith, because as soon as Jesus told him about how doubtful he sounded, he shouted out about the faith that was deep indie of him and rightfully so, he asked for even more faith. It is too bad, and really too sad that today we find ourselves in the same position as this dad, we want to have faith, but our relationship with God is so weak that we are really not sure about the whole thing. Knowing the awesome power of our God, and knowing how much He loves us and would bless us in multiple ways beyond anything we could ever ask of Him, we should approach His throne in confidence knowing that God can do it, and having the faith to believe that He will do it. Without this kind of faith, are we coming to Him to just ‘test the waters’?
   

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord I believe, please help my unbelief. Please help me to be so in tuned with You, Your Word, and Your will for my life that I can come boldly to the cross and seek Your face, knowing that as my father You will answer my prayers in very bold and responsive ways so that You may receive glory from everything accomplished, but also in ways that will best fit Your will for my life, not for the selfish desires for which I may pray. Please direct our paths today as we vote, may Your will be accomplished at the polls so that Your men and women who should have charges over Your people during this time will be elected today. Thank You for being my guide today, for always being my deliverer and friend, my healer and all powerful God to whom I can approach when decisions must be made and when healing is requested.