Mark 9:14-27
“When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 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 one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.”
Mark 9:14-27 NIV
In following Christ there this is nothing more essential than faith. Faith is what binds us to Christ. Remember that great string of truths that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Faith is the piece of that great string of pearls that applies God’s grace to us. As one scholar put it, Faith saves because it takes hold of Christ and believes that my sin and death are damned and abolished in Christ. It unites believers to Christ.
The whole fullness of God's nature dwells bodily in Christ, and all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him. As His children, we are privileged to dwell in Him and He in us. We are filled by His Spirit and made complete in Him Who is the head over all rule and authority, principality and power.
But how often like the disciples we doubt the power, ability, wisdom, and knowledge of the Lord. Like them, we fail to appropriate all that we are in Christ and He in us. No wonder when the doubting disciples were unable to cast out the evil spirit from this poor demon-possessed child, that his father cried, "Lord, I believe; help me overcome my unbelief."
This seemingly contradictory remark is the same paradox of faith and doubt that has stalked so many believers down through the centuries. We want to believe but our faith is trampled underfoot by our doubt. We long to trust in His love and ability and desire to believe the truth of His Word, but unbelief casts its icy shadow over our fainting heart.
The source of our faith can be nothing other than Jesus, He is the founder and then perfecter of it. It is Him that originates it and then continues to call us deeper. It seems that Jesus is the one who gives us the extraordinary gift of faith.
This is what Paul seemed to think as well, when he says. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God.
Grace and faith both are gifts from God, extraordinary, to say the least. This faith that is given by God and generated in us as we look towards Christ is grown in prayer.
The nature of faith is so clearly seen here, it is hard to maintain when life is hard. We desperately need Jesus to continue to work faith into our hearts, and it seems the mode by which that happens is prayer, close communion and fellowship with Him. This text is calling us to deepen our faith in Jesus through prayer.
For most of you, your faith is growing and you are walking well even with the world in chaos. But if your faith has felt some doubt, if your anxiety is growing faster than your peace with God, reach out your hand to Jesus. He will lift you up and bring you back to the boat.
May we cultivate the spiritual discipline and devotion that is so necessary in the life of every Christian in this world which so desperately needs to hear the truth of the gospel.
May we repent of any pride or neglect that has caused us to doubt the power, ability, wisdom, knowledge, or truth of Christ Jesus our Lord, in Whom dwells all the treasures of God's wisdom, knowledge, strength, and grace. And let us remember that we have been made complete in Him, for His praise and glory!!!
Father thank You for this day and Your amazing grace. Lord open the storehouses of Your abundant blessings and rain them down upon my friend and family today. Lord forgive us for the times when our trust in You has been overshadowed by foolish doubt, and our spiritual walk has strayed from the paths of righteousness, truth, and wisdom. Lord strengthen us and help our unbelief. Lord help us to fulfil the work that You have prepared for us to do, in the power of Your Holy Spirit, to Your praise and glory. Lord use my friend to be the touch of Your love to all today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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