What Jesus Did! 'Have Mercy!' — Mark 9:20-22

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

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."

— 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 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 4:1
  • Psalm 25:16
  • Isaiah 55:7

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 9:20-22 NLT — "How long has this been happening?" —— "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."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

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.

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