If You Can Believe
Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, published in “Mornings & Evenings,” September, 23, PM
Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008.
Do you believe the Lord can do all things? How big is your God? Share with someone.
Listen to this devotional read aloud online.
“‘If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes” (Mark 9:23).
A certain man had a demoniac son, who was afflicted with a dumb spirit. The father, having seen the futility of the endeavors of the disciples to heal his child, had little or no faith in Christ, and therefore, when he was asked to bring his son to Him, he said to Jesus, “If You can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.”
Now there was an “if” in the question, but the poor trembling father had put the “if” in the wrong place: Jesus Christ, therefore, without commanding him to retract the “if,” kindly puts it in its legitimate position. “No, verily,” He seemed to say, “there should be no ‘if’ about My power, nor concerning My willingness, the ‘if’ lies somewhere else.” “If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.”
The man’s trust was strengthened, he offered a humble prayer for an increase of faith, and instantly Jesus spoke the word, and the devil was cast out, with an injunction never to return.
There is a lesson here which we need to learn. We, like this man, often see that there is an “if” somewhere, but we are perpetually blundering by putting it in the wrong place. “If” Jesus can help me–”if” He can give me grace to overcome temptation–”if” He can give me pardon–”if” He can make me successful.
No, “if” you can believe, He both can and will. You have misplaced your “if.” If you can confidently trust, even as all things are possible to Christ, so shall all things be possible to you. Faith stands in God’s power, and is robed in God’s majesty; it wears the royal apparel, and rides on the King’s horse, for it is the grace which the King delights to honor. Girding itself with the glorious might of the all-working Spirit, it becomes, in the omnipotence of God, mighty to do, to dare, and to suffer.
All things, without limit, are possible to him that believes. My soul, can you believe your Lord tonight?
Permanent devotional link
Questions: Do you believe God can do all things? Where have you placed your “if” in regards to God’s ability to make you successful or forgive your sins?
About this Author : Charles Spurgeon
9 Responses to “If You Can Believe”
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Thank you, Andi, for your input. I understand that at the end of the day, it is His will and not mine. It’s just still hard to ask and believe but also at the same time to trust Him that the right answer might be “No”. It’s my human-ness, I guess. With Him saying ““Everything is possible for him who believes”, we tend to assume everything means everything that we ask. While He always a greater purpose for every prayers answered, whether the answer is “yes” or “no”…
I guess I’ll have to learn to trust Him more while keep asking Him my requests.
Inka, Many of us have suffered from chronic illness, myself included. I have sought healing over the 30+ years. It seems that HE has used this illness to heal my spirit and damaged emotions rather than my mortal frame. I can honestly say I would not be the person I am today had I not been allowed to walk this pathway. A dear sister and mentor wrote to me about a year ago and said: God must trust you a lot to have allowed such pain in your life.
It went into my very spirit as a word from HIM…..and I have since read the same thing in a book [of course can't remember the book now, sorry].
God is Sovereign and can do anything HE wills; and supreme in HIS will is ‘that not one person shall perish.’
Does this help to answer Lory’s question I wonder? Not OUR will BUT HIS will.
thank you Dorothy for today’s devotional. it certainly brought me to think of the days where the ‘IF’s” was the only way i knew. i realize now that all I was doing was playing the devil’s game. it was most addictive. since my life then was void of any substance of faith, the devil saw in me a very potential life long partner.
do I believe that God can do all things? I am here to talk about it, I am here as a disciple to Jesus. I am walking in His glory being led by the Spirit in everything I do I obey God because I love Him.
Joshua 24:15 says:”But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord(NIV)
i read this and fresh hope wells up within me for my future and my loved ones future.. that God can and will bring salvation and bring my loved one to repentence.. ive had a promise from the lord 3 yrs 6mths ago and ive came through so much but its his promise i cling to for he his faithful and will do all if only we believe thank you for this devotion.. father thank you for stiring up within me fresh hope in you .. thankyou for helping my unbeilf…
back on track tonight. not sure what the problem was but a little prayer goes a long way.
dorothy, just wondering if anyone else is having problems here. for tues, wed, and today of this week the ‘responses’ are not here. wasn’t sure how else to get through
kanj
I love this. I wonder one thing though. why did Jesus ask the Father “If it is possible…. but not my will but yours?”
Btw it’s great to think we can ask everything to Jesus, as He can do everything IF we believe…
Thank you! Thank you! Just what I needed to hear!
I can definitely relate to this father. A lot of times, when I prayed for healing, in the back of my mind I found myself to always create an “excuse” for what IF God doesn’t heal this time. What if it’s one of those times that God want to keep “the torn in the flesh” there to make me stronger and more dependent on Him? It’s like a crutch so that I don’t get disappointed when God doesn’t answer my healing prayers. Anyone have any thoughts on this?