Day Twenty Five: Camping with Demons (Matthew 17:14-21)

“When they approached the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, kneeling before Him and saying, ‘Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic (moonstruck) and suffers terribly; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. And I brought him to Your disciples, and they were not able to heal him.’
 
And Jesus answered, ‘You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.’
 
Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed at once.
 
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, ‘Why could we not drive it out?’ He answered, ‘Because of your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have [living] faith the size of a mustard seed you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and [if it is God’s will] it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. [But this kind of demon does not go out except by prayer and fasting.]”
 
Matthew 17:14-21 AMP (emphasis, mine)
​

Goodness, me. This story has so many layers to it, and so many takeaways, that I’m still (even sitting down to write) struggling to choose a direction.
 
Strangely enough, my Pastor just preached and entire message on this passage just this past Sunday. I love his take (check it out here), and I’m eager to begin our church-wide 21 Days of prayer and fasting, beginning this Sunday.
 
Since I had already studied this scripture recently, I wanted to read it in a different translation to really dive in. The Amplified version of the Bible is a little wordy for everyday reading, but it’s great for study, as it pulls out the original, intended meaning behind each passage.
 
But it wasn’t any of the fancy explanations that stood out, instead, a simple string of five words: “Bring him here to me.”
 
Instantly I heard the whisper of the Holy Spirit ask, “What demons have you been living with?”
 
In other words,
What illness have you conceded to live with?
What sin can you not shake, and so you don’t even try?
What dream have you given up on?
 
 
This man had been dealing with his son’s demons for the kid’s entire life.
My guess is that he had built his life around this illness—staying by his boy’s side every minute; crazy-kid-proofing the house; declining party invitations.
 
Until one day he hears about twelve guys who are visiting town, praying for and healing the sick…
 
Can you imagine?
I’m sure this guy caught a glimmer of hope in that moment.
Maybe, just maybe these guys can heal my boy.
 
So he bravely steps out from his home, a pocket full of hope, and his son’s hand squeezed tight in his own.
 
Only to be met with disappointment.
 
He could have gone home, retreating to life-as-usual.
Settling for the same old, same old.
I guess it wasn’t meant to be.
 
Instead a holy indignation rises in the man. He squeezes his son’s hand even tighter and sets off to find Jesus.
 
He’s desperate this time, so he heads straight to the source… and throws himself at the feet of the supposed Son of God, looking for a miracle.
 
The anxious father pleads for mercy on his son’s behalf. He explains all his son’s problems (as if Jesus didn’t know), and explains everything he’s tried to get him better.
 
But Jesus says five simple words, “Bring him here to me.”
 
Or— for us, “Bring it to me.”
 

Bring your problem.
Bring your burden.
Bring the biggest need in your life.

Come on, I’m not afraid.
 
I know you’ve tried everything. I know you’ve lived like this for years. I know you’ve prayed and prayed without avail.
 
But, just scrounge up another ounce of faith, and bring it to me.
 

The truth is that there are some “demons” in my life that I’ve grown comfortable with. They keep me from living the full and abundant life Jesus promises in John 10:20.
 
A health issue.
An identity crisis.
An ongoing financial struggle.
 
Things that I once believed could be healed, but then weren’t, and then I shrunk back in disappointment.
 
I know in my heart that God can do anything, and yet I fail to bring these things to him because I’ve allowed myself to become desensitized to their presence in my life.
 
I’ve settled for “normal”. And normal does not always equal okay.
And God promises His children more than okay, anyway.
 
What are the “demons” in your life?
Those addictions you can’t break.
Those habits you can’t shake.
That mountain you can’t move.
 
I know what mine are.

We've got to grab hold of them again; stop settling for normal.
We've got to muster up our mustard-size faith.
Enough is enough-- we've got to go seek out Jesus.
Despite disappointment. Despite fear. Despite disbelief.
 
I’m bringing my “demons” and camping out at the feet of Jesus for the next 21 days, believing He is who He says He is, and He can do what He says He can do.

Join with me? 
Let's bring it.
 
Dwelling in Him,