Do you sometimes wonder if there is anyone who can help? Are you in a place, right this moment, in which you doubt there is a way out? If you were required to give up your past to get help, would you?
Sometimes, the downward spiral we are on appears to be never ending. We may think we have dug a pit and continue to dig ourselves into a deeper hole. Our perspective is nothing but darkness. But then again, we are looking down into the hole rather than up.
It is when we are in our deepest despair that we often don’t see a way to regain our joy. When we find ourselves in a bind that appears to have no way out, we may get to a point of giving up. Rather than give up, we need to look up. God has an answer. He can pull us out.
Can you imagine being the father or mother of the child in today’s passage? A young boy is possessed by a demon who throws him into fire and water in an attempt to kill him. Your child is being tortured for no apparent reason. You can do nothing about it. You are powerless. You grasp at one last hope. You have heard of a rabbi who can cast out demons. You hope it is true. But your hope is razor thin.
We may find ourselves on razor thin hope. One small slip and we tumble into the abyss. The good news is this, Jesus can still work miracles today. What does it cost us? Full commitment to Him. We must be willing to give up our wayward lifestyle. We must be willing to give all we are back to Him. We must put our faith, no matter how little it may be, into His redeeming power.
It may sound simple. It may sound absurd. It may sound like too high of a price to pay. But if we are willing, He will work the miracle. It has happened time and time again. Today’s passage is just one example of what He is able to do.
I pray we all put our faith in Jesus. I pray we are willing to give up our old ways to take on His way. I pray each one of us will fully commit to Him. Trust God. Put your faith in Jesus. Be willing to start anew. Ask Him for the help you need.
Mark 9:21-23 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.”
Marty Pressey 