Daily Devotional for Wednesday, October 11

The Powerless Disciples

“And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us,” Mark 9:20-22.

“God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.”—A.W. Tozer

When Jesus sent the disciples out two by two, He gave them 
apostolic power to heal the sick and raise the dead. As the disciples went preaching from town to town, they experienced extraordinary power to do just that. But in this instance, they could not heal this child who was possessed by a demon. Jesus rebuked their lack of faith, including the disciples, the scribes and the father of the child.

Later, after Jesus had healed the child, the disciples inquired of their inability to heal him. Jesus declared that this situation required prayer and fasting to experience the power they needed. The disciples would have to go deeper in faith by prayer and fasting.

Many times we experience God’s power by a simple season of prayer accompanied by faith in Him. But God may send greater trials our way to deepen our faith and cause us to seek Him more intently to experience the power that we need. The greater the need, the greater level of faith and dependence upon God is needed.

FINAL THOUGHT: God may send a great trial to strengthen your faith. When faced with a great trial, deepen your faith and dependence on God and you will experience the power you need.

Steven Ridings