Gospel Reflections #843: If not by our own desires

Mark 9:22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

In our most desperate situations, we cry out to God like this.

While saying "if it is your will," the truth is we often cannot be certain we truly believe in that will.

To such people, Jesus says, "If you can? Everything is possible for those who believe."

Consider the attitude of Joshua and Caleb, giants of faith, who "fully obeyed the Lord."

They demonstrated heartfelt trust and devotion to the Lord's promise through their actions.

And through people who completely dedicate their hearts to the Lord and His work, the Lord's promises are fulfilled.

The foundation of our prayers and cries is not merely seeking the fulfillment of our own desires, but first being convinced that God, the One we pray to, is completely trustworthy.

It is precisely because of this conviction that we can pour out our hearts to God as they truly are.

God makes us aware of our half-hearted faith, but He doesn't stop there. He guides us, nurtures us, and brings us to completion so that we can fully trust Him.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.