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(James 1:5) "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

The above Scripture is beautifully expressed in the story of Mark 9:20: "And they brought the boy to him (Jesus). And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

OK, rather than leave it with "Well, all's well that ends well," why don't we look at it through the lens of our own hearts?

I read a great book by Sharon Garlough Brown called "Sensible Shoes." In it, she says that when we read about Jesus, we should try to imagine ourselves in the crowd following him and 'see' how it works out and how we would react.

When I do that, I see that all of this was precluded by the child's father, who got pretty uptight when he finally got to see Jesus walking back down the mountain. Although the Bible only records that he said, “Teacher ... I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” I bet after all that dissatisfaction with the disciples, frustration must have welled up within him, and when he finally spotted Jesus, he must have dragged his poor son by the ankle right up to see him, (followed closely, of course, by all the sad and apologetic disciples in toe).

But - no matter the story - no matter the circumstances - no matter the details - Jesus' bottom line ALWAYS remains the same! "All things are possible for one who believes.” And our rejoinder should always be, "Amen, Lord!" Or, at worst, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Holy Spirit, please touch the heart of whoever is reading this. Draw them into Your presence and show them that You continue to speak and answer prayers today. Amen. 

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve those who are sick amongst us—Alastair, Barbara, Ian, Alex, Alexander, James, Keiron, Jay, Liliana, Maria, Susanna, and those you bring to our minds right now... Please grant your healing power to those who minister to all the sick among us so they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care. We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.