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."
— Mark 9:20-22 NLT
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
Father in heaven, I love you. I thank you. I praise you. There are many reasons why you are worthy of my love, thanks, and praise. One of the foremost reasons, however, is that you have treated me with mercy and welcomed me with love and dealt with my sins graciously. Thank you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
- Psalm 4:1
- Psalm 25:16
- Isaiah 55:7
About This Devotional
What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.
What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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