Compassion

 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
Mark 9:22 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/mrk.9.22.ESV

It's often when people are desperate that they turn to the Lord. If all seems well, most people don't bother seeking God. The man in this verse came to Jesus out of desperation.

His son was oppressed by an evil spirit that threw him into fire and water to kill him. The father was so desperate that he came to Jesus, without even much hope that He could do anything. But as Jesus said, even a mustard seed of faith can move a mountain.

The father knew it wasn't just about Jesus being able to deliver his son. It would be no good for Jesus to be able but unwilling to deliver his son. So he asked Jesus to have compassion on them.

On the other side of the coin, it would be no good for Jesus to only have compassion, without the ability to deliver the boy. Thankfully, as the story progresses, Jesus does have compassion, and does deliver the boy. The father's mustard seed of faith moved the mountain of his unbelief.

'Heavenly Father, we're grateful that You're both powerful and compassionate, which means You're able to help us in our need. Please deliver us from sin, in the name of Jesus, amen'

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