“The next day, after they had come down the mountain, a large crowd met Jesus. 38 A man in the crowd called out to him, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, my only child. 39 An evil spirit keeps seizing him, making him scream. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It batters him and hardly ever leaves him alone. 40 I begged your disciples to cast out the spirit, but they couldn’t do it.” 41 Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you and put up with you?” Then he said to the man, “Bring your son here.” 42 As the boy came forward, the demon knocked him to the ground and threw him into a violent convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and healed the boy. Then he gave him back to his father. 43 Awe gripped the people as they saw this majestic display of God’s power.” Luke 9:37-43 New Living Translation.
God of the mountaintops and the valleys,
Seems one day we can be full of faith and on the mountaintop rejoicing in You and marvelling at Your amazing grace and then the next -back down to earth with a bump. Heaven one minute and a challenging situation the next. Jesus and the three disciples experienced that. Well the disciples more than Jesus. Maybe a challenge to His patience but He never lost it.
A father in the crowd has lost faith because the disciples could not heal his son. The crowd around him was disappointed because they had come to see the show, a miracle. The remaining disciples were despondent because they had been unable to do what they did when Jesus had sent them out a couple of weeks ago (Luke 9:1-6).
Sometimes what we try to do just does not work, or what we have done in the past does not have the desired outcome. God sometimes chooses to work a different way. Here, there is a happy ending because the father in his helplessness recognises Jesus, their Master and takes His need directly to Him. It reminders us that we need to direct people to Jesus for what they need and not get in the way. Yes, Jesus was frustrated coming down the mountain and finding the disciples in a mess – but He sorted it out, healed the boy and restored him to his family. We can rely on You even when our faith is low.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
God of the mountaintops and the valleys,
We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For You to meet their needs and let us know if we can help.
For ministers, pastors, congregations and all that is done by those belonging to churches to support, help and bless their local communities. Help them to make Jesus known by love.
For our Government, that You would lead, shape, and help the right people be in the right places somehow!
For our King and Queen and their family and all those who work in positions where they can be a force for good..
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord a miracle of Your peace and reconciliation is needed.
For Putin and Ukraine. An full stop to political power seeking and an end to war and conflict and bloodshed.
For those in the midst of conflict, that they would hear of Your love.
For those on the mountain tops rejoicing and those in doubt, despair and difficulties in the valleys.
For ourselves, our needs for today and this weekend. And the times we feel down to be lifted.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 18th November 2023
Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Brightly doth His Spirit shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Singing if my way is clear,
Praying if the path be drear;
If in danger for Him call;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Trusting Him while life shall last,
Trusting Him till earth be past;
Till within the jasper wall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Lyrics: Edgar Page