After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately,
“Why couldn’t we drive out the spirit?”
He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
Mark 9:29
So many times throughout our lives we do a quick self-evaluation. We wonder if we’ve done enough. If we’ve worked hard enough, saved enough and been “good” enough. It’s difficult to know the answer. There is always more we could have done… and who is keeping score anyway? But the Bible reminds us that it is
God who is enough - not us.
In the Gospel of Mark there’s a powerful story of Jesus healing a man’s son (
Mark 9:14-29). The disciples had attempted and were not successful in removing an impure spirit from the boy. At the end of the passage, it is clear that the problem was not that the disciples weren’t trying hard enough – it’s that they didn’t turn to prayer. They needed to tap into God’s power - which is more than enough.
My favorite part of this story is the response of the father when Jesus tells him that "everything is possible for one who believes.” The father says something profound: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” He had faith in Jesus. He believed Jesus could heal his son, he just didn’t know if he believed enough.
Tim Keller has a great quote which says, “It is not the strength of your faith but the object of your faith that actually saves you.” Isn’t that a comfort? Read that quote again. Jesus is the
object of our faith. Our faith is not always solid or strong. We need help with our unbelief. We will have doubts. But Jesus Christ is enough, and he is the same: yesterday, today and forever! Thank the Lord!
Right now, given what has been happening all around us, it’s a good idea for us all to pray early and pray often! The power of prayer cannot be overestimated. We pray for healing, for protection, and we pray for peace. Let’s take time throughout our day to pray to the God of David from Psalm 62: “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
In Christ,
Gary
