"If you Can"

 

Your Will Be Done

Mark Chapter 9 NIV

²¹ Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 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.”

²³ “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

²⁴ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

 

Can you imagine telling the Lord, “If you can?”  And Jesus responds with a touch of humor when He says, “If you can?” This is a priceless Scripture. Jesus knows He can do all things, but the guy asking the question doesn’t.

 

I love this verse, and I pray: “I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.”

I’ve never doubted the Lord’s ability to do anything. My word! Look at the amazing Creation!

However, I now add the prayer “if you are willing.” In Matthew’s Gospel, we find this verse:

 

Matthew 8:2 NIV

A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

I believe without doubt that God can do any and everything. Will He do it for me? Do I have enough faith? Sometimes yes, but often, no.

I am learning to ask: “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief, and if You are willing, do this for me.”

After all, whose determination is best for me? His or mine?  And get this! Jesus prayed for God’s will in one of His last talks with the Father.

In the garden, before his arrest, Jesus prayed: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” NIV Matthew 23:39

Aren’t you happy God honored His will, even if it meant rejecting His only Son’s request? Because of God’s denial to take the cup away from Jesus, we can be in God’s family.

God’s will is far better than ours.