“A member of the crowd said to him, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that makes him mute. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they were not able to do so.”
He answered them, “You unbelieving generation! How much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I endure you? Bring him to me.”
So they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell on the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”
And he said, “From childhood. It has often thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if you are able to do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
Then Jesus said to him, “‘If you are able?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.”
Immediately the father of the boy cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Now when Jesus saw that a crowd was quickly gathering, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” —Mark 9:17-25
This story takes place right after the transfiguration. Jesus had taken Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain and His divine glory had been revealed to them. Jesus, Peter, James, and John were returning from that experience and came upon this crowd. The other disciples and the teachers of the law were arguing presumably over the disciples’ lack of ability to heal this demon possessed child. Jesus had already given the disciples authority to drive out demons. We are told earlier in Mark:
“Now Jesus went up the mountain and called for those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve (whom he named apostles), so that they would be with him and he could send them to preach and to have authority to cast out demons.” —Mark 3:13-15
With compassion, Jesus tells them to bring the boy to Him. He asks the father how long the child has been like this. The father responds since childhood. Can you imagine the desperation this father must have felt? He says to Jesus, “But if you can do anything …”
Jesus responds “If you can?” Jesus follows that up with “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Jesus has the power to deliver this child!
Contrast this scenario with the man with leprosy in Matthew who came to Jesus knowing He could heal him.
“After he came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. And a leper approached and bowed low before him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand and touched him saying, “I am willing. Be clean!” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” —Matthew 8:1-3
The word “willing” stands out in the above passage. Sometimes God does not change the circumstance, heal the physical body, or provide a “yes” to our request. When this is the case, there is always a greater good to be accomplished through what He is allowing–both for us and for others. Two passages provide encouragement during those times when God does say “no.”
“Even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me – so that I would not become arrogant. I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” —2 Corinthians 12:7-10
“Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.” —Matthew 26:39
Our loving and compassionate Father is a good and perfect giver and delights to bestow “good gifts” to His children. Always believe that even if the answer is “No,” there is so much more at stake that we do not see.
Take It to Heart
God is always faithful, loving, compassionate and kind to His children–even when we do not recognize it as such. His very heart is love. If the answer to changing my circumstance is “No,” there is a greater good that I cannot readily see both for me and for others.