23-Mar-2024 – In unusual situations you need bold and strong faith
And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. -Luke 9:40
This portion is a very well known portion. This situation happened during the time when Jesus was on the mount of transfiguration. Also, by the time of this incident happened, the 12 disciples were given the power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases.
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. -Luke 9:1
Even though they have power and authority, they were not able to execute their power in a situation. Jesus clearly told the reason is their lack of faith only. One reason for this failure could be they were looking at the situation and the symptoms rather than confidently commanding with the given authority.
And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. -Luke 9:42
Here, we can see even in the presence of Jesus, the devil tried to do some harm to the child. But when Jesus rebuked, it had to leave. Now, when the disciples tried, this unclean spirit might have done like this to the child. By looking at it, they lost their confidence and faith in the authority.
This aptly shows our vulnerability with respect to our faith. When the things happens as we were taught, as we expected, then we will be bold and confident. But if the situation turns different or unusual, immediately we will go into defensive mode or introspective mode.
In this unusual situations, if we want to display the strong faith we need to have one thing clear in our mind and heart. That is, we have power in the name of Jesus, which is higher than any name in this world or heaven. Anything and everything should submit in the name of Jesus, when we truly represent him.
This we can understand with a simple example. If you consider a police officer, when he is in the uniform, even if he is our relative, he is still a police officer. In the occasion of protecting the law and order, he has authority to bind any one. Even if there is a violent and rebellious gangster, as per the rule, the police officer has higher authority and power. But when the police officer looses his confidence by looking at this gangster, then he cannot bind him.
We in our practical situations, we are many times confronted by the devil in our situations in life. It could be in work in the form of a co-worker, in the family with a toxic member or in the church with some stubborn believer, in the society with negative force. Whatever may be the situation, we are chosen, ordained and appointed disciples of God, with approved authority and power over everything that comes against the kingdom of God. This power we receive in the name of Jesus.
That’s why in unusual situations, you need bold and strong faith!
Prayer
Dear loving heavenly Father, thank you for your love and grace. Thank you for teaching me the importance of having faith when the situation turns unusual. Help me to stand strong on the lessons learnt from you, the authority received from you. I pray in the name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen!
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