Sometimes as I read the Bible I hear things in my mind. No, I am not crazy thank you very much. I mean, I can hear what is going on in my sanctified imagination. As I was reading Mark 9:14-29 I could hear this father as he talked with Jesus. I could hear the emotion in his voice. I could see the tears in his eyes. I know because there have been times that I have stood before God my Father just like “The Unknown Father”.
Today I want to look at his longing. We all have desires for our children. We want them to grow up healthy and be successful. We want to attend their wedding. We want to walk our daughters down the aisle in a snow white dress and give her away to a man in a snow white tuxedo. A longing is prolonged unfulfilled desire or need. As I write this I am reminded that I will never perform my son’s wedding. He has no desire to play basketball or throw a baseball with me. These are just a couple expectations that a father has.
Look at Mark 9:18, “And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.” Notice what this father said, “and they could not.” He was longing for his son to be whole; but, the disciples could not heal him. Once again his hopes were dashed upon the rocks of life. Once again he had dreamed of his son being whole. Yet, his dreams were crushed again.
I am guessing that you; my reader, know how this man feels. You have watched as your hopes were dashed on the rocks of the sea of life. Don’t give up hope. Keep that longing and take it to God and give it to Him.
So, how are you doing?