Deeper Life #182

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

—Matthew 17:21

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON SAID THAT three hours out of every five he was insane with misery. John Stuart Mill said that life was not worth living after he was a boy.

These are not fictitious statements, but facts. Christian Science ignores them! The New Thought cult ignores them! The Mind Cure cult ignores them! But Jesus Christ opens our eyes to the fact of depression and despair.

How are we going to get those dark souls in contact with Jesus Christ? In the first place, we should realize that we do not know how to do it. I want to lay that one principle down very strongly: If you think you know how to present Jesus Christ to a depressed soul, you will never be able to do it. But if you will learn how to rely on the Holy Spirit, believing that Jesus Christ can do it, then I am bold enough to state that He will.

If you get your little lists of Scripture texts and search them out and say, “I know how to deal with this soul,” you will never be able to help. But if you realize your absolute helplessness, saying, “My God, I cannot touch this case. I do not know where to begin. But I believe that Thou canst do it,” then you can do something.

Prayer Thought: I will depend upon You, Lord, in dealing with needy people today.

SUGGESTED READING: Matthew 17:14–21