In Acts 19 there is a story about some Jewish exorcists who tried to drive out an evil spirit in the name of Jesus. It didn’t work and the evil spirit ended up beating them severely. I want to take a look at this story this Sunday with this as the main point: It’s not enough to know who Jesus is, you need to know Jesus. That’s where the power is.
You see in the story in Acts the Jewish exorcists tried to drive out the spirit in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches. It seems to me from the story that they didn’t know Jesus. I have watched too many times in my life when someone wants the power or peace or comfort that Jesus can give, they cannot find it. I have wondered if it’s because they have spent a lifetime not really getting to know Jesus and building their faith. So when the storm comes, they are not ready for it and growing faith in the middle of a storm is really hard. Often during life’s storms, we need to lean on our faith.
I am not trying to say that faith cannot grow during hard times, but that we need to prepare for these hard times by being faithful and growing our faith before the storm hits. Jesus is not a cosmic magician who comes when we call him to get us out of a mess, yet I have known people who have treated Jesus like a magician. The problem comes and then someone gets very faithful about church and prayer and Bible reading and whatever else they think is necessary to get Jesus to act on their behalf. Often they wind up disappointed. Is it because Jesus doesn’t have power? I don’t believe that.
Why do you think we often end up disappointed with Jesus?
This is what I want to explore this Sunday.
Any thoughts?
Barry
Tharsei 
I think it is exactly like you said. We wait until we get into trouble before we call on Jesus, then wonder why he is not there with an immediate fix.
Barry,
There are an abundance of psalms and proverbs in the Bible that can help one escape that feeling of despair that we all feel from time to time. And, it happens more often than we’re willing to admit. At 64 years of age, I am still learning to cope with anxiety and despair. It happens to every one of us. We can pray earnestly, throwing all our trust and hope to God, and wait for his promise to help. We can mope around with head hanging low, waiting for help from God to manifest itself, and never realize that the answer to despair can be found in something everyone could do. Don’t think about yourself.
People make the mistake of thinking God will answer their prayers, about their anxiety and despair, when the answer to their woes is staring them in the face.
Turn your attention to what you can do for someone else. It works every time. And, this is likely what God had in mind to cure you of your anxiety and despair. Turn your attention to what you can do for others, and learn to be selfless. God works in mysterious ways.
I think we are often disappointed because we approach prayer with an expectation of how and when we want the prayer answered. We need to expect the unexpected. Most of the greatest gifts that God gives us comes wrapped in painful packages. Our Father does know best.