Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

September 23– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“If you can believe, all things are possible.”

—Mark 9:23

A certain man had a demon-possessed son who was afflicted with a spirit that wouldn’t let him speak. The father, having seen the futility of the disciples’ attempts to heal his child, had little faith in Christ himself; therefore, when he was invited to bring his son to Jesus, the man said to Jesus, “If you can 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 didn’t command him to retract the “if,” but he kindly put it in its right position. It was as if Jesus was saying, “Truly, there should be no if’ about my power, nor concerning my willingness; the if’ lies somewhere else.” “If you can believe, then all things are possible.” The man’s trust was strengthened, and instantly Jesus spoke the word; the demon was cast out with a command never to return.

There is a lesson here which we need to learn. We, like this man, often come to Jesus with an “if,” 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? No! It’s more like, “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 stands in God’s power and is clothed in God’s majesty; it rides on the King’s horse, for faith is the grace which the King delights to honor. Girding itself with the glorious might of the all-working Spirit, it becomes the invincible power of God to do mighty things, to dare, and to suffer. All things, without limit, are possible to one who believes. My soul, do you believe your Lord tonight? [M&E]