38 A man in the crowd called out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. 40 I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not."
Desperation is felt in this poor man’s request. Demonic activity is seizing his only son taking him down into the pits of hellish fury. Blackest darkness, no consolation, uncontrolled frenzy, all being Satan’s calling cards. It is no wonder that this daddy begged Jesus to show some special attention to his boy. His child is being destroyed before his very eyes – Jesus is his only hope. Lucky for him to come to this realization - Jesus is the only hope for all mankind. Don’t you think it funny how we are so often slow to come to this awareness? We tend to be prone to try and handle things ourselves until we are placed into circumstances “far beyond our ability to endure” as Paul states in II Corinthians 1:8. It is God’s desire for us not to rely on ourselves but on Him. Paul shows us this in verses 10-11 of that same passage:10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. 2 Cor 1:10-11 (NIV)
Paul stresses how powerless he is apart from Christ and how important prayer is in effecting God’s gracious intervention and help. I am reminded of David’s Psalm 108: 12 Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. 13 With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies. Psalms 108:12-13 (NIV)
The Psalms are filled with the promises of God coming to the aid of His people. Psalm 91 is one of my personal favorites. I call it the “I will” Psalm because of all the “I will” promises God sets forth in it. Attributed to Moses, God’s friend, who experienced firsthand the helping power of the great, I AM. While the whole Psalm is worthy of study, the last few verses are particularly powerful: 14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." Psalms 91:14-16 (NIV)
As His children, His ears are always attentive to our cries. Again, David states in Psalm 34: 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; Psalms 34:15 (NIV)
Because we are His, we may always approach Him with freedom and confidence as told us in Ephesians: 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Eph 3:12 (NIV)
And, as God states through the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 41:10: 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) Just as the disciples in their own flesh were powerless to change this poor child’s condition, we too lack the ability apart from Christ. Jesus Himself tells us:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV)
Therefore, my dear friend, hurry to His place of shelter, far from the tempests and storms; with freedom and confidence, running into the arms of your loving Father where you may rest your head between His shoulders as He restores your soul. “We may tremble on the Rock, but the Rock beneath us never trembles.” Chuck Swindoll “Jesus came treading the waves; and so He puts all the swelling tumults of life under His feet. Christians – why afraid?” Augustine