Morning & Evening: Evening Devo, Sep. 23rd

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe."

Evening Thought

A certain man had a demoniac son, who was afflicted with a dumb spirit. The father, having seen the futility of the endeavours of the disciples to heal his child, had little or no faith in Christ, and therefore, when he was bidden to bring his son to him, he said to Jesus, "If thou canst 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 Christ, therefore, without commanding him to retract the "if," kindly puts it in its legitimate position. "Nay, verily," he seemed to say, "there should be no 'if' about my power, nor concerning my willingness, the 'if' lies somewhere else." "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." The man's trust was strengthened, he offered a humble prayer for an increase of faith, and instantly Jesus spoke the word, and the devil was cast out, with an injunction never to return. There is a lesson here which we need to learn. We, like this man, often see that there is an "if" somewhere, 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? Nay, "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 standeth in God's power, and is robed in God's majesty; it weareth the royal apparel, and rideth on the King's horse, for it is the grace which the King delighteth to honour. Girding itself with the glorious might of the all-working Spirit, it becomes, in the omnipotence of God, mighty to do, to dare, and to suffer. All things, without limit, are possible to him that believeth. My soul, canst thou believe thy Lord to-night?

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 9:23 — "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, September 23, 2025

A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
"Rely implicitly upon the old, old gospel. You need no other nets when you fish for men; those your Master has given you are strong enough to hold the little..."
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Disciple, Nearly every one of My leaders through the ages has been stuck between a rock and a hard place. I'm talking about being in a situation..."
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
"[Jesus continued his parable about the Kingdom of Heaven being like workers hired at different times during the day:] "When those hired first came to...."
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't..."

About This Devotional

'Morning and Evening' is the classic daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.

Written by Charles H. Spurgeon.