Isaiah 50:4-10; James 3:1-12; Mark 9:14-29

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I’m more than convinced that the hardest thing we ever have to do is wait. Now, I’m not talking about waiting in line, or waiting at the doctor’s office, or other such things. This type of waiting has no set time frame. It’s the indefinite waiting for something we want to happen, without any evidence it ever will. Waiting for the perfect spouse, waiting for the right job, waiting for healing while illnesses persist, etc. For these things, the only thing we can do is wait.

We all want to know that when we have problems, we also have the capacity to fix them. We want to know that we can do something ourselves toward reaching a solution. Yet, there are many times that this isn’t the case. Sometimes, the only thing we can do is wait… and that’s difficult. We wait for God to provide the needed relief, unsure when or if it will come. 

Consider then the father in our Gospel reading this week. He has a son who has been demon-possessed since childhood. While we have no idea how old this child is, it has clearly been a long time. For this demon has oppressed the child, even seeking to destroy him. The demon has cast the child into fire and deep water, all while the father is powerless to stop it. There’s no wonder the father is desperate by the time he meets Jesus. 

Imagine how long this father has sought answers and solutions to no avail. I can only imagine his doubts and despair at not being able to help his son. He has waited weeks, months, or most likely even years for deliverance. Such was his request of Jesus, “But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us,” Mark 9:22. Our faith is often tested the most when we have to wait. It’s easy knowing there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s easy knowing there’s a solution within your grasp. It’s hard to wait, being unsure if an answer will ever come. 

Why does God make us wait? Does he like to see us suffer? Well, of course not. But the why is something that we may never know or understand. Rather, the waiting is perhaps God bidding us to trust in him and his timing. For so often, I find myself echoing the words of the father, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24. Thus, we learn that God’s action is never dependent on us having the proper faith. It’s not dependent on our ability or faithfulness. It’s dependent on Jesus alone. For Jesus casts out the demon. Jesus overcomes our afflictions. Jesus comes to us even in the midst of our doubt and despair to tell us that our hope and waiting haven’t been in vain. For at the perfect time, Jesus came to die for us. He answers our prayers in his timing and not a minute later. While God may make us wait, he still comes beside us to remind us that he will not make us wait forever. We can lay all of our doubts and struggles at Jesus’ feet, knowing that not only will Jesus take care of them, but that our waiting shall never be in vain! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, our support and defense in every need, continue to preserve Your Church in safety, govern her by Your goodness, and bless her with Your peace; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!