The Hard Cases....

Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting

Jesus and three of His disciples had just come down from the mount of transfiguration. An experience of tremendous glory and revelation has just taken place. However they descend from the mountain to find a tumultuous scene. We find the other nine apostles (and possibly others) are struggling with something they've never run up against before. Previously Jesus had called them and commissioned them, and given them authority to cast out demons and heal every disease! (Matthew 10:1)

And yet we find a great crowd assembled here- a vexed boy (the KJV calls him a lunatic) -and a desperate father. The dad remarks that he has brought his boy to Jesus' disciples but...they could not cure him. Can you imagine their frustration? Up until now, demons were fleeing, bodies were being healed, lives were instantaneously being changed and delivered. But now they are up against something they've never seen...and it's happening in front of a crowd (Matthew 17:14). Of course Jesus immediately deals with the situation and brings deliverance to the tormented boy (right after He gives some rather sharp admonition to His disciples!).

Later they come to Him privately (as they often did) and asked Jesus (in essence) "what's the deal? Why couldn't we cast out the demon this time?" First Jesus remarks about their unbelief. He basically tells them they don't even meet the bare minimum requirements as far as faith goes (mustard- seed- size). But lest they be filled with despair, He goes on to tell them that they were not up against the run-of-the-mill opposition. He goes on to say "this kind" of demon can only be expelled by extraordinary means (prayer and fasting).

I dare say that all of us run into extraordinary problems from time to time. There are trials...and then there are TRIALS!!! There are times when a "now I lay me down to sleep" prayer life is not going to move the mountain. It's going to require some extra effort on our part. I want to encourage and challenge you today by asking- what are the hard cases in your life? Is it financial? Health-related? Perhaps your sons and daughters are under the influence of the devil just like this poor man? Got any lost loved ones you are desperate to reach before it's too late? Or pastors how about your churches? Tired of seeing the enemy put your church up against a barrier it can't seem to break through? Churches often hit a "plateau" spiritually and it seems like it's impossible to get past. We often look at the physical symptoms and fail to realize there are deep-rooted spiritual problems at the core. Is not Satan a master strategist, schemer, and deceiver? Does he not have ranks of principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places? (Ephesians chapter 6) Does he not have a kingdom (that even Christ commented) is not divided? (Matthew 12:26)

I believe these are the last days and if my assumption is correct, then we are facing demonic powers that we haven't faced before. If that is indeed the case, then I ask you (and myself) are we willing to pay the extra price in order to see our loved ones, family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers come to Christ and be set free from the powers of darkness? Fasting is never fun (if it were, you and I wouldn't be human beings)- prayer requires a sacrifice of time and energy and a submission. But beloved, if we are not willing to do these things- we shouldn't complain or ask questions when we are unable as the body of Christ to deal with the "hard cases."

Have a great weekend!
~Henry †

Be a Fan