So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.
“How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father.
He replied, “Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”
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 his mercy and touch us with his grace. He is waiting for us to recognize our need for these blessings. He longs for us to acknowledge that without his grace, we have no right, no power, and no place in his presence. Then, when God sends his grace and mercy 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 4:1Psalm 25:16Isaiah 55:7Ⓒ 1996-2024 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. 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.