Luke 9: 40 “So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not.”
Dear God,
I give praise this morning that You are the Maker of all things, and the Restorer of all earth. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned all of earth has been blighted, and taken over by the evil Satan and his angels, in an increasing and continuing amount.
In Luke 9: 38 – 42 is given the account of a father bringing his demon possessed boy for healing to the disciples, who had previously cast out demons by the power of God, that Jesus had conferred upon them, but now in this instance, their spirituality and connection to God was such, that they could not cast out a demon. Jesus rebuked them for being perverse and faithless, for they had seen Him healing over and over, and knew that previously they had also healed by Gods power.
Lord, forgive me for also forgetting how You have used me at times and later I became so self-focused, that my faith in You was (is) interfered with.
To witness Jesus causing the demon to come out of the boy, had an impact on all the people present, v. 43, “And they were amazed at the majesty of God…” Sadly it would seem, the impact was not so much for the disciples, because the self-focus soon returned; leading to a dispute among them. What would have made this more disappointing for Jesus was the dispute followed His warning about His soon betrayal into the hands of men of ill intent, to be followed by His crucifixion as given in v. 44. None of which the disciples understood.
Forgive me Lord, for the too many times, that my self-focus, not only leads me into wrong thinking and actions, but also into not taking ‘on board’ the lessons, rebukes, and affirmations through the communication channels of Your holy word, and of praising and praying to You.
All through the Bible account and especially during the ministry of Jesus, it is evident that children are very important, and we reap blessings, when we also appreciate and are loving toward children. As I reflect upon this, I am encouraged that, as I ask and allow, You will fill me with an ever increasing amount of faith and trust in You, and self-focus will fade as I focus upon You, and then I will have more the faith and trust of a child. The thought of which fills me with much joy.
Thank You and Amen