When We Can’t
Faith in the Midst of Failure
SCRIPTURE:
Luke 9:40 NLT - I begged your disciples to cast out the spirit, but they couldn't do it."
OBSERVATION:
At first glance, this verse may seem very discouraging. Why would anyone want to stop, reflect, or even write about it? The truth is that we all face situations in our lives that we think we “can’t” handle. Things that, no matter how hard we try, we cannot overcome. Often, we accept these as defeats and live with them. However, through this encounter in Luke chapter 9 with the demon-possessed boy, we learn an important lesson—not only about our personal struggles, sin, and life but also about the ministries God has called us to.
The final outcome was something incredible—something I believe everyone longs for in life: victory and glory. Neither of these is ours to claim but belongs only to Jesus. The boy was healed, Jesus triumphed, and victory over the demonic was achieved—he was freed from what had held him.
What is holding you back today? Have you been working so hard for victory and freedom only to find you “can’t”?
The Good News is—Jesus CAN! When we learn the lesson of faith through failure, we quickly realize, just like the father of the boy, the people who witnessed it, and the disciples:
Luke 9:43 NLT - Awe gripped the people as they saw this majestic display of God's power…
Luke 9:40 NLT - I begged your disciples to cast out the spirit, but they couldn't do it."
OBSERVATION:
At first glance, this verse may seem very discouraging. Why would anyone want to stop, reflect, or even write about it? The truth is that we all face situations in our lives that we think we “can’t” handle. Things that, no matter how hard we try, we cannot overcome. Often, we accept these as defeats and live with them. However, through this encounter in Luke chapter 9 with the demon-possessed boy, we learn an important lesson—not only about our personal struggles, sin, and life but also about the ministries God has called us to.
The final outcome was something incredible—something I believe everyone longs for in life: victory and glory. Neither of these is ours to claim but belongs only to Jesus. The boy was healed, Jesus triumphed, and victory over the demonic was achieved—he was freed from what had held him.
What is holding you back today? Have you been working so hard for victory and freedom only to find you “can’t”?
The Good News is—Jesus CAN! When we learn the lesson of faith through failure, we quickly realize, just like the father of the boy, the people who witnessed it, and the disciples:
Luke 9:43 NLT - Awe gripped the people as they saw this majestic display of God's power…
Their failure was, in fact, good for them. Their failure taught them.
It taught them not to get into a rut of mechanical ministry.
It taught them the great superiority of Jesus.
It taught them to wish for the presence of Jesus.
It taught them to come to Jesus with the problem. – David Guzik.
They were confounded at their want of success, but not at their want of faith, which was the cause of their miscarriage! – Adam Clark.
It taught them not to get into a rut of mechanical ministry.
It taught them the great superiority of Jesus.
It taught them to wish for the presence of Jesus.
It taught them to come to Jesus with the problem. – David Guzik.
They were confounded at their want of success, but not at their want of faith, which was the cause of their miscarriage! – Adam Clark.
Have you and I been so caught up in success, overcoming, and defeating the “demons” in our lives that we have forgotten about our need for faith? Has our lack of victory been because we want to be seen as overcomers, rather than overcome by the blood of the Lamb? Has our faith weakened as we rely on our own strength, determination, and self-effort to overcome? In reality, our failure should lead us to run to Jesus—He is our only hope.
APPLICATION:
There is a clear example of this truth in the book of Zechariah. Zechariah, the prophet of God, was sent to a man named Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was tasked with rebuilding the Temple of God after its destruction by the Babylonians. When he arrived at the site, he was overwhelmed by a mountain of rubble. That is when the Lord stepped in and sent Zechariah with a message of encouragement.
Zechariah 4:6-7 NKJV - “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts. 'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of "Grace, grace to it!" ' "
Maybe like Zerubbabel, your life is filled with “rubble”—it’s even in your name! Like the disciples, the father, and the boy, you are at the point of “can’t.” But Jesus can!
Remember—it’s not by our strength, but by His. The mountain of rubble—sin, failure, the “can’t”—will be turned into a plain. Today, let “your failure” become faith. Look to Jesus—He can! With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”
PRAYER:
Jesus, You know the “can’t” in my life—the rubble, the mountains, the sin. By Your Spirit, overcome them with Your grace. I look to You for my strength; mine is insufficient and weak, but Yours is sufficient. I will do as Zerubbabel did and shout, “Grace, grace to it!” as I see You overcome. Allow my failure to become faith—faith in the majestic power of God.
APPLICATION:
There is a clear example of this truth in the book of Zechariah. Zechariah, the prophet of God, was sent to a man named Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was tasked with rebuilding the Temple of God after its destruction by the Babylonians. When he arrived at the site, he was overwhelmed by a mountain of rubble. That is when the Lord stepped in and sent Zechariah with a message of encouragement.
Zechariah 4:6-7 NKJV - “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts. 'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of "Grace, grace to it!" ' "
Maybe like Zerubbabel, your life is filled with “rubble”—it’s even in your name! Like the disciples, the father, and the boy, you are at the point of “can’t.” But Jesus can!
Remember—it’s not by our strength, but by His. The mountain of rubble—sin, failure, the “can’t”—will be turned into a plain. Today, let “your failure” become faith. Look to Jesus—He can! With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”
PRAYER:
Jesus, You know the “can’t” in my life—the rubble, the mountains, the sin. By Your Spirit, overcome them with Your grace. I look to You for my strength; mine is insufficient and weak, but Yours is sufficient. I will do as Zerubbabel did and shout, “Grace, grace to it!” as I see You overcome. Allow my failure to become faith—faith in the majestic power of God.
When we can’t—Jesus can. Our failure becomes faith when we trust His power.
Posted in 03 - Luke
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