Maybe the disciples had hoped that Jesus wouldn’t know that they had not been able to heal the boy of his seizures. Maybe they were a little like us, not understanding why, and just deciding to let it go.
Oh He knew. He didn’t say anything, but He knew. When the father of the boy spilled the beans, I can see the disciples head drop a little – maybe positioning themselves behind someone hoping to not be seen. Jesus is not happy; and after a little scolding, they finally ask Him what they have wondered to themselves, “Why couldn’t we drive it out”?
It is clear that Jesus expected them to be able to. He had told them to. I wonder when He stirs us to do the same – to believe for the same – if He doesn’t expect us to be able to. Somewhere along the line we have given in to the belief that He doesn’t. Surely Jesus wouldn’t say to us, “O unbelieving and perverse generation” – would He? . . . surely not! . . . would He?
We console ourselves by thinking He wouldn’t – by thinking it must not have been His will. I believe there is more to it than that. With the disciples, if it had not been His will, what reason would He have had to be frustrated with them? The reason He was frustrated is that they had the ability themselves and didn’t know it.
And so He makes the point; ‘Hey, I know you don’t know all that I know – that you are not as sure of things as I am; but even if you just understand it a little, you can do the same things that I do’. Because of all that He knows and understands, He walks up like a wrecking ball and says ‘Satan, hit the road’ . . . and he hits it. We tell him to hit the road and he just stands there with his arms crossed; ‘Make me’ he says.
And that’s the deal. It’s not so much praying and asking God, as it is telling Satan. When he stands with arms crossed, it’s standing right back at him. That’s what Jesus meant. ‘Even if you have faith the size of a sledgehammer, you can stand there delivering blow after repeated blow until he moves on.’
Faith is not hoping he will leave. It is not hoping God will make him leave. When God has initiated the faith, it is knowing and understanding that he has to leave. We have given in to him not leaving so long and his heals are dug in so deep that it will take quite a stand – a much needed stand – to drive him out. He really has no option . . . unless we give him one.
Hunger and Thirst 
I’ve always believed one of the most important points to remember about spiritual warfare is that we must stay on the battlefield longer than the enemy does. You can’t win, standing on the sidelines.
A simple yet profound way to put it.
Great post and so true!
This totally resonates. 🙂 He does have to leave. Thank you so much for being able to internalize and verbalize what He is telling you, and all of us, to do. God bless you!
It resonated with me too. My next post is going to be about ‘why’ he has to leave . . . Lord willing.
And Mike, I tried sharing this in a way she could understand, and she got so excited and on board with this kind of thinking/doing/standing. 🙂
Well that’s cool. Keep me posted on how she is doing.
We truly do not make good use of the power we have in Jesus Christ and most often are the ones who give in way before we should which in turn gives evil the upper hand.
In my small way, trying to turn that around. Tired of him having his way in so many situations.
We need more believers who know that they can move those mountains instead of letting them block the way! The one truth that I hold fast to is that I never let my problems seem bigger than my God!
I recieved a card yesterday from a blogging friend. It is a quote of William Carey. “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God”. It is only when we are thoroughly convinced of His greatness, as you say, that we can expect and believe for great things.
By the way, thanks Deb for the card; very fitting for the journey. You and my wife are card queens. They are hard to beat when they are right.
Loved Marianne’s comment . . .and you are so welcome for the card. 🙂 Will e-mail you soon.
Great post Mike. I often think if we understood the authority and power God has given us over the enemy we wouldn’t flinch a bit at his tactics. We’d nip them in the bud before he ever got a foothold.
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
May we all come to get a glimpse of who we are in Christ – tremendous warriors 🙂
Rachel