“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe.” 
              — Mark 9:23

A certain man had a demoniac son, who was afflicted with a dumb spirit.
The father, having seen the futility of the endeavours of the disciples
to heal his child, had little or no faith in Christ, and therefore,
when he was bidden to bring his son to him, he said to Jesus, “If thou
canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.” Now there was
an “if” in the question, but the poor trembling father had put the “if”
in the wrong place: Jesus Christ, therefore, without commanding him to
retract the “if,” kindly puts it in its legitimate position. “Nay,
verily,” he seemed to say, “there should be no ‘if’ about my power, nor
concerning my willingness, the ‘if’ lies somewhere else.” “If thou
canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” The
man’s trust was strengthened, he offered a humble prayer for an
increase of faith, and instantly Jesus spoke the word, and the devil
was cast out, with an injunction never to return. There is a lesson
here which we need to learn. We, like this man, often see that there is
an “if” somewhere, but we are perpetually blundering by putting it in
the wrong place. “If” Jesus can help me-“if” he can give me grace to
overcome temptation-“if” he can give me pardon-“if” he can make me
successful? Nay, “if” you can believe, he both can and will. You have
misplaced your “if.” If you can confidently trust, even as all things
are possible to Christ, so shall all things be possible to you. Faith
standeth in God’s power, and is robed in God’s majesty; it weareth the
royal apparel, and rideth on the King’s horse, for it is the grace
which the King delighteth to honour. Girding itself with the glorious
might of the all-working Spirit, it becomes, in the omnipotence of God,
mighty to do, to dare, and to suffer. All things, without limit, are
possible to him that believeth. My soul, canst thou believe thy Lord
to-night?

On this day...

• Nahum 1 - 2023
• Micah 7 - 2023
• Give everything you can - 2011
• Faithfulness is our business - 2011
• Mention me in your prayers please - 2011
• Love that transforms - 2011
• William Carey (missionary) - 2009
• Ministry of Reconciliation - 2009
• 613 Mitzvot - 2009
• Propitiation - 2009