BBD 08.25.03 Power Failure
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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The Burning Bush Devotional
(Over 8,000 subscribers in 75 countries)
08.25.03
Power Failure
Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who
has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams
at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your
disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not." He answered
him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How
long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me." - Mark 9:17-19.
In our world of modern conveniences from cell phones to cars to washing
machines, a power failure like the one we had last week can be catastrophic.
We are so used to picking up our cell phone, which we carry with us all the
time and simply calling for help if we need help. But millions of people did
exactly that last week and nothing happened. Some people were in areas where
they could get into their cars and drive but when they were low on gas they
found that the gas pumps also powered by electricity would not work. Many
used to obtaining money through ATMs found that they were without access to
their money, which they needed to buy food or pay for transportation if any
was available. For these people catastrophic was an understatement! However,
after a truly catastrophic event which happened on 9/11 most understood and
appeared to see it all in the proper perspective.
The disciples of Jesus experienced a catastrophic power failure as well.
They were unable to cast out a demon that had been inhabiting the body of a
boy for some time. Actually, the disciples were powerful individuals and God
's instruments but they were underpowered to face the spiritual being they
came against. After Jesus had cast out the demon the disciples asked him
privately why they had been unable to do so. Here is what Jesus said, "This
kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29)."
The disciples were used to being able to see people healed and demons
dispatched by simply speaking the word in the Name of Jesus. However, it did
not happen this time because of the power of the one they had encountered.
What was needed was more power and that additional power would only come
through additional prayer and by fasting.
Have you had a catastrophic spiritual power failure? You pray, you read your
Bible, you go to church, you fellowship with other believers, you serve God;
you seek His leadership and guidance - so why will the spiritual mountain
you have encountered not move? As Jesus says to the father of the demon
possessed child, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who
believes (Mark 9:23)." There are two possibilities. One is that it is not
God's will. The second is that you have had a power failure or that you are
underpowered spiritually for the task at hand.
Let us consider the possibility of the lack of power. If this is the
situation Jesus has given direction. You will have to spend a substantial
amount of time in prayer and you will need to fast. It may also be necessary
to gather a group of prayer warriors that will also give themselves to
prayer and fasting for a period of time so that this spiritual mountain you
are facing may be overcome.
Do you want the power? It is available but there is the cost of prayer and
fasting that is attached. It seems there are few willing to pay the price.
But if you are and it is God's will - that mountain you are facing will
move.
Copyright © 2003. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the devotionals
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