Monday, October 27, 2014
In yesterday's Spanish service, I spoke about a question Jesus' Disciples asked him two thousand years ago. Many Christians today still ask Him that same basic question. There is a story in the gospels about the day a man brought his demon-tormented son to the Disciples with the hope that they would cure his boy. This man most likely had heard that Jesus, and His disciples too, had freed people from evil spirits time and time again, but on the day and hour that he came seeking help, Jesus was not there, only nine of His Disciples. Christ had given them power to heal and drive out demons beforehand, but on this occasion these nine could not expel the fierce demon living inside the lad. Jesus came back from the mountain along with Peter, James, and John just in time to help them and eventually heal the boy. Later, when they were alone with their Master, the nine asked Him their question: "Why could we not drive out the boy's demon?" Jesus made it clear to them that there are demons which are stronger and more stubborn than others and that the type they encountered requires much prayer and fasting, implying that they had been lacking in this essential requirement.
Two thousand years later, many of God's children find themselves in a situation where their faith and spiritual strength fail them from time to time. Like the Disciples, they want to know why it has happened. It is very possible that Jesus' Disciples had become so busy and focused on their ministerial duties that they had forgotten that their spiritual batteries had always been recharged during their quiet times in prayer to God. It is no different for us today. In order for us to be prepared to meet even the most difficult of trials, we must remember that our faith and strength in Christ is recharged when we make it a practice to spend quiet and personal times of communion with Him.
It is sad to say, but many Christians today get sidetracked by paying more time and attention on the things of this life than on the things of God such as church attendance, bible reading, and prayer, just to cite a few. That is why the Bible tells us: "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13) The Bible assumes that the day of evil will come to all of us sooner or later, but if we stay in close contact and communion with Christ, we will have all the protection and strength necessary to stand and be victorious when that day comes. If you sense you have lost some faith, joy, and spiritual strength in your Christian life, I pray you will get back on track right away.
Memory verse for the week: (Romans 12:2) "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
