Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 21, 2020
“What do you mean, ‘If I can?’” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” Mark 9:23
Like many people I have a few dreams. I’ve got aspirations I’d like to accomplish in this New Year. Perhaps you do too.
When you think about accomplishing a special dream, how do you feel? Do you panic because you wonder if you have what it takes to make it happen? Does fear creep in because you doubt you have the resources, the courage, or the expertise to see your dream through?
If so, I’d like to encourage you by sharing an inspiring story with you from the Bible.
In Mark 9, a father brings his sick son to Jesus. The man says, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. And whenever this spirit seizes him it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.” (v 17-18)
Then the man says to Jesus, “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”
Jesus then says something powerful: “What do you mean, ‘If I can’? Anything is possible for the person who believes” (Mark 9:23).
When I have heard people quote this passage, and specifically Jesus’ words “Anything is possible for the person who believes,” its been used to support the false idea that the power is in people. After all, if you believe enough, you can do it. If you have enough faith, it can happen for you. It’s all about you.
When I think of this scripture in the context of being able to accomplish my dreams myself, it stresses me out because, frankly, one or two of my desires are so big that there isn’t any way I can accomplish them alone. They can only come about through Christ’s power.
When Jesus repeats the man’s words, “If you can. . .” I wonder if it was with a tone of sadness, a sense of “Seriously? You doubt I can? Of course I can!”
This is such great news for those times when you wonder if you’ve got what it takes to see your dreams fulfilled. Because what Jesus is saying is, “It’s not about you. I can do this. All things are possible for the person who believes, not because you have the power, but because I have the power. Your only job is to trust and believe Me.”
This is great news for your new year as you ask God to help your goals and dreams come to pass. Can He? Of course He can!
It’s time to trust, believe, and walk in the knowledge that He can.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).
Prayer
Lord, thank you that I don’t need to have the power, the expertise, or even perfect courage to realize the dreams you have placed in my heart. All I need is faith to believe that you are able to work through me to accomplish the impossible. Help me to walk in that faith. Praise you, Lord! Amen.
Application
If you have a dream that seems impossible, write out Mark 9:23 on a Post-it Note and place it where you can see it. Then, read it out loud each day and thank the Lord that He is able to work through you to accomplish the impossible.
Related Reading
2 Corinthians 5:7; James 1:3; Matthew 21:22
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Trust the Lord and ask Him to help your goals and dreams come to pass. #WisdomHunters #trustGod #truth #Jesus
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