|
Leviticus 20:22-22:16; Mark 9:1-29; Psalm 43:1-5; Proverbs 10:18
“‘How long has this been happening to him?’ Jesus asked his father. ‘From childhood,’ he said. ‘And many times it has thrown him into the fire or water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘If You can? Everything is possible to the one who believes.’ Immediately the father of the boy cried out, ‘I do believe! Help my unbelief.'” (Mark 9:21-24)
Desperation wins out again! This poor guy for years has monitored his son just to keep him alive. He is tormented at the thought of this demon killing his boy. He comes at Jesus’ disciples first and they find that they are unable to produce the freedom this family is seeking.
Dad bumps it to upper management, Jesus. He comes at Jesus sideways, just like we do. Well, Lord, if you able to do this, if you wanna do this, if you think it would be possible to do this, then I would be awfully grateful. Jesus says, “If. If I can? Are you kidding me, it’s not me you’re waiting on.” Jesus reminds us that ALL things are possible to them who believe. I love the honesty of the dad, “I do believe! Help my unbelief.”
You know that we all been there. We wrestle back and forth between faith and failure. Some positive prayer manifest and we’re high on the mountain, the next day something negative occurs to counter that prayer and we find ourselves back at square one. Man, I believed so good yesterday when things were great. And I still believe today, but maybe not quite so resolutely. Yeah, it’s strong, don’t feel bad, I think it’s a human faith building thing. Always bear in mind that anything having to do with God comes with a certain amount of warfare. Never be ignorant that demons do exist, and their sole purposes are to kill, steal and destroy. They do not play fair, and it sometimes takes work to get rid of them. Hold fast though because you do have the power through Jesus Christ, even if you have to exert some energy to see freedom.
When his disciples questioned him about why they were unable to cast the demon out, Jesus told them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
(Mark 9:29)
There will be certain levels of warfare, or stuckness, that will not budge until we get serious and put some skin on the table by deciding to pray and fast. The results are up to us, Jesus has given us the keys. Are we willing to put television, food or pleasure on the back burner to break the chains off of ourselves and others? Are we willing to pay the price of a fasted lifestyle that keeps us in a prepared mode? Shoot yeah! Because all things are possible to the one who believes!!!!
PRAYER:
Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. No truer words have ever been spoken. Forgive me Lord and teach me how to live a life of faith and power. I pray that nothing will ever have such a hold of my heart that it would hinder me from fasting and praying in order to get free or from seeing another get free. I love You Lord and it’s in Your name that I pray. Amen. |
