Key Thought

Have mercy on us! Isn't that our real place before God? Don't we need to come into the holy and awesome presence of God with the cry, "Have mercy on me, O God!" Of course God loves to share mercy and touch us with his grace. He is waiting for us to recognize our need for these. He longs for us to acknowledge that without his grace, we have no right, no power, and no place in his presence. Then, when grace and mercy come to us, we can be assured that they are ours because of God's love for us.

Today's Prayer

Today's Verses in Context

Then Jesus, Peter, James, and John went to the other followers. They saw many people around them. The teachers of the law were arguing with the followers. When the people saw Jesus, they were very surprised. They ran to him to welcome him. Jesus asked, "What are you arguing with the teachers of the law about?" A man answered, "Teacher, I brought my son to you. My son has a spirit {from the devil} inside him. This spirit stops my son from talking. The spirit attacks my son and throws him on the ground. My son foams from his mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes very stiff. I asked your followers to force the evil spirit out, but they could not." Jesus answered, "You people don't believe! How long must I stay with you? How long must I continue to be patient with you? Bring the boy to me!" So the followers brought the boy to Jesus. When the {evil} spirit saw Jesus, the spirit attacked the boy. The boy fell down and rolled on the ground. He was foaming from his mouth. Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has this been happening to the boy?" The father answered, "Since he was very young. The spirit often throws him into a fire or into water to kill him. If you can do anything for him, please have pity on us and help us." Jesus said to the father, "You said, 'Help him if you can.' All things are possible for the person that believes." The father became very excited. He said, "I do believe. Help me to believe more!" Jesus saw that all the people were running there to see what was happening. So Jesus spoke to the evil spirit. Jesus said, "You evil spirit that makes this boy deaf and stops him from talking--I command you to come out of this boy and never enter him again!" The {evil} spirit screamed. The spirit caused the boy to fall on the ground again, and then the spirit came out. The boy looked like he was dead. Many people said, "He is dead!" But Jesus held the boy's hand and helped him stand. Jesus went into the house. His followers were alone with him there. Theysaid, "We could not force that evil spirit out. Why?" Jesus answered, "That kind of spirit can only be forced out by using prayer."

— Mark 9:14-29 (ERV)

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