Dear Explorer,
Yesterday we looked at the miracle of Jesus healing the young boy. But we quickly skipped over some important verses.
Read Matthew 17:19-21
And
Read Mark 9:28-29
The disciples asked, “Why couldn't we heal him?” That's an important question, don't you think? Jesus told them that they forgot “faith”. What does that mean? I believe that they forgot WHO does the healing. I think they must have tried to heal the child with their own strength or their own faith or whatever they were depending on. But they forgot that they could not do it by SELF.
We've talked before about Satan's powers and that he is stronger than we are (Day 30). We've also talked about not confusing our faith with God's power (Day 93). So, I believe that the disciples were somehow trusting in themselves or their position as “apostles” to be able to remove this demon. It won't work. God and God alone can deal with Satan.
Is that a problem for us today? Yes! We often assume that we can deal with our own problems and concerns and forget to consult God. As a result, we are often overwhelmed and defeated emotionally and physically. God wants us to live in victory over Satan – but we must learn to depend fully on Him not our SELF.
Note: Some translations do not record Matthew 17:21 because it is not found in the earliest manuscripts. It is very similar to Mark 9:29, so we'll cover it there.
Re-read Mark 9:21-24
Mark records this conversation between the dad and Jesus. It is an encouragement to know that God hears our prayers to increase our faith. It only requires a tiny, tiny amount of faith – but if we place our faith in God then we will see Him work in a mighty way. Sometimes our faith is tiny, but when we see God at work, our faith grows.
There's an incident that happened in the Old Testament that has really helped me to understand the faith that I need to have.
There were 3 young men from Israel who had been captured by King Nebuchadnezzar and taken captive to Babylon. They lived there and were trained in the palace to become Babylonian leaders. But these 3 friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, refused to bow down and worship the Babylonian king. So, the king brought them into his throne room and warned them to bow down or else they would be thrown into a fiery furnace. Maybe you've heard their story. But I want you to see their faith.
Read Daniel 3:16-18
Put in your own words their statement of faith.
I would say it's something like this: I KNOW God CAN do this thing that I need, but I'm not sure of His will (or decision) in this matter. But I trust Him to do what is best.
These verses have really helped me to be able to pray in faith for other people and for myself. God requires me to believe that He CAN do the thing I'm asking – then I can leave it up to Him whether that is best.
These verses (Daniel 3:16-18) became very, very precious to me when my favorite Aunt was diagnosed with cancer. I didn't want her to die, and I knew that God could heal her. But I wasn't sure whether it was God's will to heal her or to take her to Heaven. These verses helped me to know that it was okay to ask God for anything if I believed He could do it – and leave the results up to Him.
Many people pray the other way: They ask God for something and if He chooses to not do it their way, they quit trusting and believing in Him. That's wrong! I believe it's a trap from Satan.
I heard Gloria Gaither, a great Christian musician, say that the older she gets, the more open-handed she prays. She prays in faith, but she leaves the answer up to God. That exhibits a growing faith and trust in God.
In His service, dale
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