Friday, July 9, 2021

The day the DISCIPLES failed to cast out a devil

 


2 Timothy 1:7

King James Version

7 For God hath not given us 

the spirit of fear; 

but of power, 

and of love, 

and of a sound mind.


Here's a very instructive story on faith.

A man asked Jesus for help.

Matthew 17:14-21

King James Version

14 And when they were come to the multitude, 

there came to him a certain man, 

kneeling down to him, 

and saying,

15 Lord, 

have mercy on my son: 

for he is lunatick, 

and sore vexed: 

for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, 

and oft into the water.


The man added -- to the chagrin of the disciples:

Matthew 17:16

King James Version

16 And I brought him to thy disciples, 

and they could not cure him.


Jesus turns to His disciples, and admonishes them.

Matthew 17:17

King James Version

17 Then Jesus answered and said, 

O faithless and perverse generation, 

how long shall I be with you? 

how long shall I suffer you

bring him hither to me.


Of course, everything came easily to the Son of God.

Matthew 17:18

King James Version

18 And Jesus rebuked the devil

and he departed out of him

and the child was cured 

from that very hour.


Puzzled, the disciples asked Jesus:

Matthew 17:19

King James Version

19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, 

and said, 

Why could not we cast him out?


To which, the LORD replied:

Matthew 17:20

King James Version

20 And Jesus said unto them, 

Because of your unbelief

for verily I say unto you, 

If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, 

ye shall say unto this mountain, 

Remove hence to yonder place; 

and it shall remove; 

and nothing shall be impossible unto you.


Jesus also pointed out something important.

Matthew 17:14-21

King James Version

21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out 

but by prayer and fasting.


Faith, prayer, and fasting.

That seems to be the Lord's prescription.

Curious as to how small a mustard seed is?

Check this image.


Tinier than a peppercorn?

Wow.

Can we have faith like that?

We must, if we are to be worthy of the LORD.


Related material:

FAITH


(Image source: Clipart Library)


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