Father, I would ask that You be with my mom tonight as she has been in emergency surgery this evening. Please lay Your hand upon her, may she be able to rest. May her healing be complete. Amen.

Matthew 17:14-21 (<<click the green)

The human experience is quite often complex and simple at the same time. Take this situation for example. A boy was having uncontrollable seizures. His father brought him to the disciples to be healed but they were unable to do so.

So…if we were to start pointing fingers (which our culture does way too often) as to whom was at fault for the boy not being healed, who was guilty? The disciples? The father? And I really think my answer would be…yes. Both struggled when it came to faith…but don’t we all?

When things don’t go well, concentrating on our faith is not usually the first thing that comes to mind. We make things way more complex then they need to be. We may pray but quite often our mind goes the direction of thinking we have to try harder – to work at it more diligently. But in reality, the answer is simply –we must trust more, pray more. We really need to give it over to God. But it sure isn’t easy. Our earthly eyes see what they see. The scripture that comes to mind is actually from the King James Version, “For now we see through a glass darkly…”

Here’s how the Amplified Bible puts it,

For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God]. 1 Corinthians 13:12

The main reason the boy wasn’t healed by the disciples is that neither they nor the father could see clearly enough for God’s power to impact the situation. A stronger faith would have cleared that up but…we are who we are.

Lord Jesus, may we strive to see You more clearly, to cling to You…to believe in You with all that we have. Amen.

June 21st, 2018, Thurs, 7:13 pm