“But the Pharisees said, “By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons” (Matthew 9:32). 

If you do not like something, then accuse the one who did it of something outrageous.  Liars lie and people believe the liar and not the one who tells the truth.  It was true then and it is true now.  But you, do you believe the liar, or do you press on until you know the truth?  Jesus told us that we will know the truth and the truth will set us free.  Only in the truth will we see eternity in heaven. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life!

Lord, the father of all lies only knows how to lie because that is his nature.  There are those, some quite religious, who live by the lies of the devil and untruthfully accuse others of what they are doing.  Your grace is amazing in the face of such wickedness.  You stood firm and received the abuse.  You still stand and take the abuse of many in this world who do the same. 

Lord, You have given me the words of eternal life.  Jesus, with Your own body, You have redeemed us from the pit by suffering for our sins on the Cross.  Although I too face liars who try to lead me astray, help me to be merciful and gracious and to humbly walk with You now and forever.  Lead me in the truth of the salvation You have given me, knowing that all power has always been in Your hands.  You have authority over all creation.  Help me to live an abundant life under Your authority.  Amen. 

“After they had gone away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to him.  And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, “Never has anything like this been seen in Israel” (Matthew 9:32-33).

It may not have been seen by you, but that does not mean it did not happen.  We take historical events which we have never seen for granted, but then, in matters of faith, become cynical when we have not seen something.  Does a falling tree make a sound if no one is there to hear it?  Of course it does.  It is not about you or me, but about the One through whom all things have their being.  God is always present.

Lord, help me to understand that this is Your world.  You have created all things.  I began life just thinking about myself.  But without You I cannot exist.  Take my sinful way of seeing things and transform it to look to You, the author of all life, and live according to Your goodness and mercy.  Lead me in the way of everlasting life.  Help me to not seek to marvel so much as rejoice that You are always at work.

Lord Jesus, of course You heal.  You do it every day all over the world.  You have reasons for all that You do.  Even the demons tremble at Your presence.  Help me to come to the place where I am not so much amazed – as if it is a surprise to me that You can do what You do – as to be thankful that You care so much for this creation of Yours.  Guide me to give You praise and thanksgiving in and through all things.  Amen.

“Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you.”  And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, “See that no one knows of this.”  But they went away and spread the news about him throughout that district” (Matthew 9:29-31). 

Jesus does heal.  There are times to tell others and times to remain silent.  If we would only obey the Lord.  He asked that they remain silent.  What if we simply did what Jesus said?  How much trouble did they cause by broadcasting this news.  “Yes, but shouldn’t people know?”  Whatever the Lord tells us, there is a reason.  To obey is better than sacrifice.  Do you listen to the Lord and do as He asks? 

Lord, You know I have been guilty of disobeying what You have commanded.  I think it a good thing – and who cannot think that healing is not a good thing – but I also know that what You command is for a good reason.  Remove me from the desire to be the judge of what is good or evil and bring me to where I live knowing that You are the Lord of all.  Open my ears to hear Your stern commands. 

Forgive me, Lord Jesus, for the times where I have opened my mouth where You have commanded silence.  Lead me away from the place where I do what I think is right in my own mind so that I learn to obey You in all things.  Keep me in Your goodness and mercy to live into the life which You have given me by Your costly grace.  Thank You for healing me.  Guide my mouth to speak only what You would have me speak.  Amen.

“When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord” (Matthew 9:28). 

Do you believe that the Lord is able to do these things?  Do you believe in the Lord God Almighty.  Many say they do, but it is with their own view of things and not with the reality of who God is.  Do not create in your mind a God you want, but receive through the Word the God Who IS.  Let yourself be led by your Creator to walk humbly in the way of life that He has established. 

Lord God, Creator of all things, guide my heart, soul, and mind to seek You above all things.  Lord, help my unbelief.  You, Who created all things, will do what is right and fitting according to Your will.  Where my will conflicts with Yours, renew my mind to see things through Your Word.  In all things, may I learn to be content and take joy in the truth that You are with me. 

Minister to my heart, Holy Spirit.  You know where I do not believe.  You know where I am conflicted with the Father’s will.  Through all that this life will bring, lead me into the way of life that is right and in harmony with Your Word.  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heat reflect Your leading each day that You grant me in this age.  Do not grant me lenses through which to see, but vision to see clearly, I pray.  Amen. 

“As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” (Matthew 9:27) 

Have mercy upon us Lord.  How quickly that one sentence can change our attitude.  Mercy is not getting what you deserve.  Born blind?  It is what it is because of sin in the world.  It may not be yours, or even traceable, but sin is in the world and it wreaks havoc on us all.  By God’s mercy we receive grace which, with mercy, brings us to a new place.  Sometimes the Lord will not grant you mercy, but He will give you the grace you need for every circumstance. 

Lord, I was born half-blind, for I saw myself and those around me, but I did not see You.  I still have many, many blind spots and I do not yet see You clearly.  Guide me in this life of faith which You have given me to see more clearly each day.  You are the One who can do all things.  I pray to see You more clearly in all that I say and do.  Not in arrogance, but in humble obedience, lead me in Your creation. 

Son of David, Savior, King of kings, and Lord of lords, have mercy on me.  I am half-blind, and I want to see clearly.  Open my eyes and let me see what You will let me see.  Guide me in the vision You give me that, in humility, all that You show me will be in accordance with the Father’s will.  Help me humbly bend the knee to You, the author of my faith, and follow You whether You grant the mercy I seek, or not.  Amen.

“But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up.  And the report of this spread throughout that district” (Matthew 9:25-26).

The One through whom all things have their being will one day take our hand, perhaps by then nothing but dust, and raise us up to be with Him.  He who created the dust will have no problem completing us in Him.  But never think that the Lord has any obligation to do anything other than what He will do.  In prayer, we ask, by faith that He will do what the Father knows needs to be done.

Lord, I sometimes look to You as some cosmic Santa Claus to give me what I want.  I am saddened by the sin in this world, and I want the fix I want.  But You are God and You know all that needs to happen.  Take my eyes off myself and help me to see that it is in love that You are doing these things.  Of course, You can make life where there is nothing.  Help me to focus upon what You would have me do.

Lord Jesus, who raises the dead, raise up new life in me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to go into this world in which I live and share the Good News of You, spreading throughout my district the truth that You are the way, truth, and life.  Lead me in Your goodness to simply follow You and do what the Holy Spirit gives me to do.  May I not just be a part of the crowd, but one who truly follows where You lead.  Amen.

“When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him” (Matthew 9:23).

How often do we laugh at Jesus.  We think it preposterous that Jesus is able to do what the Creator of the universe can do.  Perhaps some do not believe He is God in the flesh.  Maybe they still think of God as part fairy tale.  God is God and He will accomplish all that He has spoken.  Note: He presses on despite our doubts, fears, and even laughter.  He will make all things new.

Lord, I have had my doubts, fears, and even emotional outbursts.  I have been childish, going about my business as if it were more important than walking with You.  You have come to give true life to those who will learn to love You.  You do not refuse us, even when we laugh at You.  Take me from the place of being childish to the place where I humbly walk with You all the days of my life.

Lead me, Lord Jesus, in the way You know I need to go.  I have done dishonorable things, but You have had grace upon grace for me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to know that even when this body gives out, I am not dead, but only sleeping.  On the last day, You will resurrect me.  Lead me into the eternal life that You are giving me today and all the days You have for me in this age.  Amen.

“Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.

What is faith?  Mostly, it is simply trusting that the Lord is Lord and will do what He will do.  Of course, the One through whom all things have their being is able to do whatever He wills.  Do you trust that?  The Lord has a reason for the timing of all things.  He will lead as He leads.  He will guide as He guides.  Take a passenger seat and see that the Lord is the one who is driving the bus.

Lord, I often want You as the co-pilot, and not the One in charge.  That is all wrong.  You know what needs to happen and I do not.  I do not know how my actions will affect what You are doing.  Help me to come to the place that no matter what happens, I will trust You above all things.  Continue to lead me and all of the faithful in the way You know we each need to go.  You alone must be the author and finisher of our faith.

Lord Jesus, You have breathed upon those who believe the truth of the ages through Your Spirit.  Lead me this day to know that I am eternally healed in the faith You have given me.  Guide me to humbly trust You, no matter the circumstances, so that I may walk in Your light all the days You give me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to see that You alone are my hope.  Thank You, Jesus, for the faith I have.  Amen.

“Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well” (Matthew 9:20-21).

Just being near to Jesus is enough.  It is never a matter of what we do, but about who He is.  This woman reached out in desperation and Jesus was waiting for her.  She went through all she could do until she came to the place where there was only Jesus.  We all must do the same.  We must push through the created to reach the place where there is just the Creator.  This is why it is said, “Look to the Lord and live.”

Lord, have the crowds ever stopped pressing in on You?  I suppose it does not matter.  I do speculate too much.  Sadly, it is often only in desperation that we reach out in faith.  Why not just live in faith and know that we do not need to press in on Jesus because He is always close by.  Why not lean on Him and see that He is carrying you through all this life?  Walk with Him knowing He walks with you.

Lord Jesus, I too have reached out in desperation to just touch you and You turned around and embraced me.  Take me from the place where I live by desperation to the place where I live with You according to Your word.  Lead me in Your goodness to know that in You is the only hope of life.  Lead me today in the healing You have given me and let me see that You are walking with me.  Amen.

“And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples” (Matthew 9:9).

Jesus does what He does regardless of who the person is.  One does not advance in position in the church, for it is simply a matter of becoming increasingly faithful.  Whether one scrubs toilets or leads thousands, all are equally loved by the Lord.  We are His and we belong to Him.  He is God and we are His creation.  We are to get up, go out and walk with Jesus wherever He will take us.  He must lead us all.

You know, Holy Spirit, that in my heart I am often resisting getting up and following where You will lead.  Help me to get over myself and walk where You lead.  You, who has breathed life into my soul, know what is needed.  From the inside out, You know the whole plan and what will come.  Guide me so that I too get up and walk where You lead every moment of each day.

Lord Jesus, much of what You have done and are doing is a mystery to me.  You are God and I am not.  Help me to get over the mystery and in faith just do what You ask me to do.  Lead me now and always to humbly follow You no matter what.  You will work it together for good.  Guide me in the truth of the salvation You have given me, dear Savior Jesus, so that I may willing follow where You lead.  Amen.