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Mark 9:17-18
In Mark 9:17-18, in reply to the question that Jesus asked of why the scribes were disputing with His disciples, a man from the multitude explains that he had brought his son to them for healing. He was stricken with seizures, foaming at the mouth, gnashing of the teeth, and uncontrollable cramping of his muscles. We are not informed of the actual dispute between the scribes and the disciples of Jesus, but possibly it was about the disciples not being able to heal the boy (Mark 9:18b), and even more, possibly a dispute concerning the power of Jesus to heal. Something we do not want to miss in this passage is that it is noted that the man brought his son to be healed by Jesus, but Jesus had not yet returned from the mountain with Peter, James, and John. “So” (Mark 9:18b, NKJV), the man sought others to help the boy in his desperation.
This is an example of our turning away from Jesus to other sources for a quick fix instead of waiting on the timing of Jesus to answer our prayers and fulfill our needs.
How many times have we blamed God for not answering our prayers, only to later discover that it was only our impatience that stood in the way of God working in our lives. We demand God to often to work in our schedule and our timeline, only to be left without our desired results. God spoke through the prophet in Isaiah 55:8-9,
“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,’” says the
Lord.
“‘For as the heavens are higher than the
Earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.’”
God knows what we need, and He knows the best timeline for us to receive His blessings and healings on our lives. The anxieties of this world are seeking to eliminate patience as we need answers now. We must evaluate the difference between our wants and our needs so we can see God working in our lives. He never promised to fulfill our wants, but He does teach on this matter in Matthew 6:8b-15, “For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done.
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the
power and the glory forever. Amen.
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” I find it very interesting that Jesus follows up this prayer with a note that if we want forgiveness, we should also forgive others. I also believe that this does not mean that we can pick and choose who we forgive as if forgiving one is sufficient, but that we have a forgiving heart as is that of Jesus to forgive everyone.
Dear LORD,
We bring our needs to You as did this man in Mark 9:17-18, but help us to realize and understand that it is not by our agenda that You work but in Your own ways and timeline. Please help us to be patient and wait on Your healing and timing to work in our lives that we may be glorified in Christ Jesus and bring glory to You. In Jesus name I pray, amen.