What do we do when we face the
impossible? How do we react when hope has completely fizzled out? Where do we
turn when we are at
the end of our rope?
We can learn so much from an unnamed man living in
Jesus' day. He caused quite a commotion when he asked Jesus' disciples for help.
Unfortunately no one was able to help him. Why? They were too busy bickering
with the teachers of the law. How must that unnamed man have felt during those
moments? All he wanted was for his son to be healed, and no one seemed to care!
Once Jesus was on the scene He cut right to the heart
of the matter: "What are you arguing with them about?" (Mark 9:16 NIV)
Is there ever a good reason for quarrelling?
The unnamed man answered Jesus "Teacher, I brought you
my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech…" (Mark 9:17
NIV)
Notice he didn't call Jesus "Master" or "Lord" as so
many others did. To him Jesus was just another of the very common teachers in
the area. But he was desperate enough to search anywhere for a solution for his
son who was suffering from a lethal demon possession: "I asked your disciples to
drive out the spirit, but they could not." (Mark 9:18 NIV)
Not that long ago Jesus had given these very disciples
authority to drive out evil spirits: "He called his twelve disciples to him and
gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and
sickness." (Matt 10:1 NIV) Why weren't they able to use this authority now? Did
they miss something?
"'O unbelieving generation,' Jesus replied, 'how long
shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.'"
(Mark 9:19 NIV)
It's clear that faith is on trial here. Why had the
disciples doubted? Was it because they were arguing?
Now the unnamed man begins pleading his case with
Jesus: "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." (Mark 9:21-22
NIV)
"If You can do anything …" In other words, the man
doubts! But who wouldn't? Wasn't everyone around him causing doubt and
confusion? However, looking at Jesus, he saw something different. Jesus seemed
to emanate confidence and pure, unselfish love.
"'If you can?' Said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for
him who believes.'" (Mark 9:23 NIV)
How often has
Jesus given this same response to us as well,
yet we still doubt! Why? Don't we think that we qualify for God's attention?
The unnamed man immediately realized his mistake and
exclaimed: "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24 NIV)
Wow! This is exactly how we should react when facing
the impossible: "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" This is exactly
how we should react when hope has completely fizzled out: "I do believe; help me
overcome my unbelief!" This is exactly where we should turn when we are at the
end of our rope: "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
And Jesus answered this plea. He drove off the evil
spirit.
But wait. The boy wasn't moving! "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 9:26-27 NIV)
More often than not, our situation appears to get
worse before it gets better. This is when we must stand firm in our faith,
because it truly will get better with Jesus on our side!
Shortly afterwards, the disciples asked Jesus: "Why
couldn't we drive it out?" (Mark 9:28 NIV)
Jesus' answer was clear: "This kind can come out only
by prayer." (Mark 9:29 NIV)
Prayer! Not argument and dissention, but prayer!
It's all about that intimate relationship with God!
Too often we rush around without even consulting with our Father. How can we
expect His blessings when we ignore Him completely? It's really all a question
of faith, and faith can only be established by developing a close relationship
with the One who truly matters.
What is interesting about Jesus' disciples is that
after 3 ˝ years of walking with Jesus, they still didn't truly believe. It is
true that Peter had once declared "You are the Christ, the Son of the living
God." (Mat 16:16
NIV),
but even then he still had his doubts. Only at the very end, moments before
Jesus was arrested, did Jesus declare about them: "You believe at last!" (John
16:31 NIV)
How often aren't we like these disciples. We follow
the Messiah, but our faith is far from where it should be. Maybe we are too
distracted by what this life is offering us, or maybe we are too involved in the
business of arguing about doctrine and points of the law. But one thing is sure:
We are far from being one with our fellow believers, and we are far from being
one with our caring Father!
Is it possible that this is the reason why we don't
experience the life of victory that Jesus came to share with us? We can. We can
soar like eagles, just as God promised us. But first we need to believe. We need
to take God at His word and ignore the pressure of our circumstances.
Sadly, after Jesus declared to His disciples, "You
believe at last!" (John 16:31 NIV), He added immediately afterwards: "You will
leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me." (John 16:32
NIV)
And they sure all did!
God offers us many opportunities to testify to His
glory. However, so many times we become disheartened at the eve of His
breakthrough.
By human standards, we would compare to the Tuttles.
In the 19th century they inherited a beautiful homestead in Maine from their
father. Unfortunately, the grazing stock gradually pulled out so much of the sod
by the root that the soil gradually disappeared, uncovering a vast stretch of
ancient deposits of sand. Bit by bit this "desert" began to spread until it took
over most of the farm. Discouraged the Tuttles abandoned the homestead.
A businessman named Henry Goldrup decided to pay this
property's outstanding taxes, and he became the new owner of this "desert".
Initially he tried to develop a brick and glass industry there, but he wasn't
successful. Nonetheless, he persevered until he came up with idea. He named the
property, "The Desert of Main", and charging 10
cents per person, he developed the land into a
tourist attraction that is still popular today.
Had the Tuttles known about this, would they have
given up?
If we only knew our Maker and Saviour more intimately,
would we give up at the slightest sign of discouragement?
We really are at the verge of a breakthrough! Will we
just believe?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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