Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases shows Jesus confronting a faithless generation, delivering an afflicted boy, and teaching that some victories require prayer and fasting. The disciples had authority but lacked prayer. Unbelief hindered them. Prayer is communion, not bondage. Faith grows through seeking God. Jesus also foretells His death and pays the temple tax to avoid offense. Obedient prayer sustains witness and releases God’s provision.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
Audio
.
Scriptures used in this lesson:
Matthew 17:14-16, Matthew 17:17, Matthew 17:16, Matthew 10:1, Mark 6:13, Luke 9:6, Mark 9:22-24, Matthew 17:21, Matthew 17:18, Matthew 17:19-21, Mark 1:35, Mark 6:46, Luke 5:15-16, Luke 6:12, Luke 9:18, Luke 22:41, Matthew 17:22-23, Mark 9:32, Matthew 17:24-27, Romans 13:6, Matthew 22:19,21, Matthew 17:27,
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
Introduction to Matthew 17:14–27
We are looking at Matthew 17:14-27. The primary subjects are the healing of the epileptic boy, the second prophecy of Jesus concerning His crucifixion, and the account of Jesus paying His taxes (Matthew 17:22-27). This is a significant section, and it is important to see it clearly as we move closer to the narrative.
In this lesson we see very vividly the need for prayer. The emphasis tonight is that when we do not pray as we should, we not only hinder our own relationship and communion with Christ, but also hinder the body of Christ. When I do not pray, I am hindering you. When you do not pray, you are hindering yourself and those around you. We need one another’s prayers because there will be hard cases, and we will need to minister to one another.
The point of tonight is to emphasize that to see difficult miracles and deliverances, prayer is necessary. Jesus teaches that this kind (of demon) comes out only by prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29), which is prayer and the seeking of the spiritual things of God. There are situations that cannot be addressed without prayer. This is not meant to place us under bondage, but to show that prayer is vital. Studying prayer or hearing teachings about prayer alone is no more effective than reading a book about a diet.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
Standing around a garage does no more than make you an automobile. What we must do is act on what we know. We must get down on our knees and pray. We must begin to seek the Lord. Reading about prayer, talking about prayer, and being around prayer are not enough unless we do it. Our generation is faithless and perverse (Matthew 17:17). The Lord Jesus does not desire to remain with such a generation.
The Broader Context of Matthew 17
He then gives the second prophecy concerning His death (Matthew 17:22-23). Jesus paid His taxes, and Peter paid his taxes (Matthew 17:24-27). The attitude of the Lord concerning taxes is to pay them to keep others from stumbling. That raises the question of our own attitude toward taxes.
The healing of the epileptic boy covers verses 14-20. This account is recorded in three Gospels. It appears in Matthew 17:14-20, Mark 9:14-29, and Luke 9:37-43. Mark gives the most complete account, so attention is given to his record. Before reading Matthew 17:14-15, it is necessary to read Mark’s account to see the full picture.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
All three accounts show that Jesus comes down from the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9). He has been in the glory and in the cloud. Jesus has been there with Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:3). He has been there with Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17:1). When He comes down, He finds a great multitude, scribes questioning the disciples, and a father bringing his afflicted son. The disciples were unable to cast the spirit out. Jesus rebukes the faithless generation and commands the boy to be brought to Him (Mark 9:14-19).
The father explains the severity and long duration of the affliction. Jesus speaks to the issue of belief and possibility (Mark 9:20-23). The father responds with faith mixed with honesty about unbelief (Mark 9:24). Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit, delivers the boy, and restores him (Mark 9:25-27). Later, the disciples ask why they could not cast it out. Jesus explains that this kind comes out only by prayer and fasting (Mark 9:28-29). That’s Mark’s account.
Matthew 17:14-16
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
As I mentioned, the Lord had been on the Mount of Transfiguration. He had discussed His exodus with Moses and Elijah (Luke 9:30-31). He had been in the glory cloud (Matthew 17:5). Jesus had been metamorphosed (Matthew 17:2). Now He comes down the mountain and sees what is happening.
He sees a multitude. They were not there when He left, but they were there when He returned. He sees the disciples and the scribes arguing. The scribes were criticizing the disciples because they could not cast the spirit out of a boy (Mark 9:18). The translations consistently say they were arguing. The father of the boy saw Jesus and came, kneeling before Him (Matthew 17:14).
Matthew 17:17
17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
Jesus responds with grief and frustration. He says, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you (Matthew 17:17). When you see what He walked back into, you can understand that response. He had just come from the glory into confusion and unbelief.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
I see this much like our own experience. We come together and are lifted up. We rejoice and are encouraged. Then we leave and return to our generation. We come down the mount and face darkness, confusion, and unbelief. It has a negative effect. It is not pleasant. However, it is something we must endure.
We must thank God for our mountain experiences. We must thank Him for worship, prayer, and times of illumination, peace, and joy. Those moments prepare us to face a perverse generation (Matthew 17:17). That is what Jesus had walked back into.
He had just spoken with Moses and Elijah about His decease (Luke 9:31). He had already ministered for several years (John 2:13; John 6:4). He had only a few months remaining (Matthew 20:17-19). The weight of that moment is evident as He comes down the mountain.
The Condition of the Child
Then Jesus sees the father and hears the description of the child. Matthew describes the boy as a lunatic and sore vexed (Matthew 17:15). He falls into fire and water. The term lunatic refers to being moonstruck. It carries the idea of mental disturbance. Other translations describe the child as epileptic with severe fits.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
The point I am making is that the child’s mind had been damaged by this condition. Because of this spirit, his mind was affected. Mark says he had a dumb spirit. He tareth him, he foameth, he gnasheth with his teeth, and he pineth away. The word dumb means he could not speak. Several translations say the spirit robbed him of speech. The word tareth means to break, to wreck, and to convulse with spasms.
The descriptions show a violent picture. The boy was thrown to the ground, foamed at the mouth, ground his teeth, and was bruised. Luke says it hardly departed from him. This was not an occasional event. It had become regular. The spirit rarely left him alone. The boy’s mind was affected. His speech was gone. His body convulsed. He fell into fire and water. The child was being worn out by this condition.
This shows a sad state. It is painful to see. We want to help people like this. That is what we are called to do. We are called to minister to people. If we are not helping people, we are missing our calling. Our calling is not centered on buildings. Buildings may be necessary, but they are not the purpose. The purpose is to help people. If we cannot help people, we are missing the entire purpose of our calling.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
Matthew 17:16
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
Verse 16 says the father brought the boy to the disciples, and they could not cure him. The word cure means to relieve from disease and to heal. The father saw the need as healing. Mark says the father expected the disciples to cast him out, and they could not. The word cast out means to eject and to expel. Luke agrees with Mark. One emphasis is healing. The other is deliverance.
In all three Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, it becomes clear that the issue was an evil spirit. The boy was demon possessed (Matthew 17:18), (Mark 9:17-18), (Luke 9:39-42). The disciples had not been able to help him. Yet they had been given power and authority earlier to cast out unclean spirits and to heal sickness and disease.
Matthew 10:1
1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Does that include us? Is it inclusive of this situation? We have been given the same power, authority, and ability. No spirit should defy us. Yet some still do. Healings and deliverances still evade us. We ask why. We have the power, and we have the authority. Why does it still happen?
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
The Disciples’ Question
The disciples ask the same question. Why could we not handle it? Why could we not do it? Jesus answers them because of unbelief and lack of prayer. That is where they are. I am ahead of myself, but that is the issue.
The disciples had been commissioned. They were sent to heal every disease and deal with every demon. They had been given that authority, and they were exercising it. Mark records that they cast out many devils and anointed many that were sick and healed them (Mark 6:13).
Mark 6:13
13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
They were moving in their abilities and authorities. And then Luke 9:6 talks about how they went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
Luke 9:6
6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
A Demon That Defied Them
They encountered one that defied them. This has been a question through the generations, and we are dealing with it tonight. Many times, we lay hands on people, and they recover. Many times spirits are dealt with. Sometimes they are not. Sometimes they defy us. Jesus responds by addressing a faithless and perverse generation (Matthew 17:17). His complaint was not only directed at the disciples but also at the generation itself. That generation was disbelieving, untrustworthy, distorted, corrupt, and had misinterpreted the purposes of God.
I want to compare that generation with our generation. I want to see if we are any further along or still in the same place.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
Mark 9:22-24
22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
The father’s faith was wavering. He said, if thou canst do anything (Mark 9:22). That is not faith. It leans toward disbelief. Many today say, if the Lord wills, He will. We want God to move for our children, families, church, city, and nation, yet we speak the same way. We are in the same place as that generation, and Jesus did not approve of it.
Judgment on That Generation
That generation was judged. Did He destroy it? Did He allow the Roman army to come and annihilate it (Matthew 24:2)? There were also the scribes. Instead of believing for the child’s deliverance, they argued and gloated over the disciples’ failure (Mark 9:14).
Many religious leaders today take a hidden joy when people are not healed. They claim healing and deliverance passed away. This reveals a wicked and perverse generation (Matthew 17:17).
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
They argue that the power ended with the original twelve apostles. Yet the apostles were still alive when this demon defied them (Matthew 17:16). The power did not die. We have the same Spirit, the same covenant, and the same Lord. We must find the same secret they learned. When we learn to pray and seek God, these demons will flee (Luke 10:19).
The multitude was also perverse. They misinterpreted God’s purposes. They saw the Messiah only in terms of personal benefit. John makes this clear (John 6:26). They came for the loaves and fishes. They wanted blessings, not service. So, they missed God’s purpose entirely. Much of the Christian world serves God for blessings. That is perverted and faithless (James 4:3).
The same is true today. People run after the Lord to see what He can do for them. They do not ask how they can serve Him. He wants servants. He wants people to help others. If we are not helping people, we are missing God’s purpose. The multitude was only interested in helping themselves (Mark 10:45).
The Disciples and Prayerlessness
There were also the disciples. They were trying to do His will. They had laid down their prayer life. Many people today love God but have laid down on spiritual things. They are not seeking Him. Fasting is an intensified seeking of God. Prayer is seeking God. That is the purpose of prayer (Jeremiah 29:13).
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
When we fast, it is intensified prayer and intensified seeking God. That is what is being addressed here. They were missing this point. Where are we as disciples concerning prayer? This kind of deliverance only happens when people have prayed. Only certain kinds respond to prayer. To see the power of God manifested, we will pray without condition. It is not conditional. We will come into prayer and communion with the Father. There is no other way. This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21).
Matthew 17:21
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Do you see what we are being shown? There are things that will never be accomplished until we learn prayer. There is a realm of spirit, power, and authority we cannot enter without prayer. Reading books about prayer is good, but it hasn’t made me pray more. Listening to teachings on prayer has not made me pray more. Standing around a garage does not make you a car.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
I will not pray until I make a commitment to pray. That is what the Lord is showing us. He is not calling us to pray for power, because the power is already there. He is not calling us to pray for faith, because we have been given the measure of faith (Romans 12:3). That faith is like a grain of mustard seed. It has been planted in us. It must be nurtured, watered, and given time with the Father so it can grow into a mighty tree (Matthew 13:31-32).
Jesus Rebukes the Demon
In verse 18. Jesus rebuked the devil. The devil departed from him. The child was cured.
Matthew 17:18
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
The word rebuked means to tax upon, to censor, to admonish, and to forbid. The translations all agree that Jesus spoke sternly and commanded the evil spirit to leave. The demon went out of the boy. We do not toy with evil spirits. We rebuke them, command them, and forbid them. They have no place and no authority. They must go (Luke 4:35). If it is the same covenant, then we have the same power (John 14:12).
The disciples came to Jesus and asked why they could not cast him out.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
Matthew 17:19–21
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Jesus answered that it was because of unbelief. He teaches that faith as a grain of mustard seed speaks with authority. Faith removes obstacles. Nothing is impossible. He concludes that this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.
Prayer, Faith, and Responsibility
The Lord told the disciples what they had left undone. They had not been fervent in prayer. He connects that directly with unbelief. Prayer and faith are uniquely united here. We ask the same question they asked. Why can we not do this? Why can we not heal and deliver every time? It is the same question, the same Lord, and the same covenant. The answer is the same. It comes back to faith and unbelief.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
I believe the Spirit of God is illuminating this to us. We are beginning to see the truth. I was encouraged because we are seeing growth and a flowering in the fellowship. I believe this is because we have been fervent in prayer for a year. We have prayed together consistently. We have prayed for the fellowship and the city, and we are now beginning to see results. Things are growing and blossoming, and that excites me (Acts 2:42).
Earlier translations note that verse 21 does not appear in Matthew, and some translations omit it. It is, however, found in Mark. It is in the Scriptures, and it is a principle. I believe the Holy Spirit intended it to be applied here. It is found in the originals in Mark and made its way into Matthew. We will study it as it stands, and if needed, we can turn to Mark (Mark 9:29).
What Are We Really Praying For
Jesus says this kind comes only by prayer and fasting, which is prayer and seeking the things of God. That raises the question of what we are to pray for. We already have power and ability. We already have authority. Praying for those things would miss the point. There is something else being taught here.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
He links faith and prayer and illustrates them through the example of the tree and the mustard seed. As I meditated on this, I looked at Christ’s prayer life. I shared this with the men in prayer. I was reminded of what Dr. Larry Lee once said, that Jesus moved from prayer time to prayer time, and between those times He worked miracles (Luke 5:16).
Jesus prayed in the morning and prayed at night. He prayed on the mountain and prayed in the wilderness. In between, He worked miracles. We have it backwards. We think we should work miracles and then pray. Jesus prayed, then worked miracles, then prayed again. Mark records that He rose early, went to a solitary place, and prayed.
Mark 1:35
35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Jesus departed into a mountain to what pray.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
Mark 6:46
46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
Jesus withdrew himself into the wilderness and prayed.
Luke 5:15–16
15 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
He prayed all night.
Luke 6:12
12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
Jesus prayed alone.
Luke 9:18
18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?
Before facing His biggest trial, He prayed.
Luke 22:41
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
Intentional Prayer and Communion
The Lord’s life was marked by intentional prayer. He was fervent in prayer. His prayer life was extensive. Jesus moved from one prayer time to the next, with miracles, deliverances, and teaching occurring between those times of prayer.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
What the Lord is showing us is not bondage. This is not about fear of missing a prayer or living by a checklist. It is about the heart desiring communion and fellowship with God. Prayer must flow from a willing heart that wants a relationship, not an obligation.
We do not pray to a God we do not believe in. When we pray, we believe He is present and listening. As we spend time in prayer, our belief and faith in Him increase in proportion to that time (Hebrews 11:6). The relationship grows through continued communion.
This is like planting a mustard seed and allowing it to grow. As it grows and becomes strong, faith reaches maturity. Jesus describes faith that can speak to a mountain. That is the place He wants us to reach. He wants constant communion with Him, morning, evening, and even through the night (Psalm 63:6).
The context here is faith. Faith grows. Prayer is seeking God. Fasting is an intensified seeking of God. We do not pray for things. Prayer is communion with the Father and the Lord (Matthew 6:8).
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
As time with Him grows and familiarity increases, faith grows in proportion. Prayer is clearly essential in this passage. There must be sufficient time for quality communion to have faith that moves the hardest cases. This is not meant to create bondage. We should not think that missing prayer means we can do nothing. Extremes must be avoided. There must be a habitual time of quality communion with Him.
The Body Affected by Prayerlessness
The church is greatly lax in prayer. I am lax in prayer. If we are honest, most of us will admit the same. Because of this laxness, other members of the body suffer. That is what I am seeing. I am not putting anyone on a guilt trip. This must be something we want to do. When we desire to pray, the whole body benefits. We are able to minister to one another because we are in the proper faith position with Him (1 Corinthians 12:26).
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). I believe prayer is tied to this as well. Jesus was not speaking to the boy who needed the miracle. He was speaking to the ministers responsible for delivering the boy. He was calling those responsible to pray more. It is our responsibility to pray and seek the things of God so we can minister to others. When we do not pray, we let the body and those in need down.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
This is weighty. I ask the Father to quicken this to us. It benefits our congregation, our city, and our nation when we do this. It should not be legalistic. Instead, it should be something we enjoy. I pray we see another dimension and element of prayer. As we give ourselves to prayer, we can expect greater and harder things to happen. Quicken this to us.
The Second Prophecy of the Cross
In verses 22 and 23, Jesus gives the second prophecy of His crucifixion and resurrection.
Matthew 17:22-23
22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
This is the second of three times He speaks of it to His disciples. The first emphasized the Sanhedrin and those who would carry it out. Here, the emphasis is on betrayal. Mark records that they did not understand the saying and were afraid to ask Him (Mark 9:32).
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
Mark 9:32
32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
They remembered the earlier time when Peter spoke up, and Jesus rebuked Peter, calling him Satan. They were afraid to ask.
Jesus Pays the Temple Tax
Then we come to the final point. Jesus paid His taxes in verses 24-27.
Matthew 17:24-27
24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
This passage is speaking about the redemption money, or temple tax. That requirement is found in Exodus 30:12-14, 38:26, and 2 Chronicles 24:6-9. The Lord required a ransom for the soul. It was paid in silver. Every Israelite twenty years old and upward was required to pay it. It was a tax to maintain the temple.
Jesus and the twelve had been away for a time. When they returned, the tax collectors came. They always come. No matter how long you stay away, they still come. The collectors asked Peter if his Master paid taxes. Peter answered that He did.
Peter knew the teaching of Jesus. He knew that Jesus paid His taxes. The command to pay tribute is clear (Romans 13:6). Paying taxes is a commandment.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
Romans 13:6
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
If we do not obey those commandments, we are in opposition to the word of God. We are required to pay our taxes. Jesus taught that we are to render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God (Matthew 22:19,21).
Matthew 22:19,21
19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
What I see here is that they were required to pay a ransom for their souls. They had to pay the temple tax. Our temple tax has already been paid. It was nailed to His cross (Colossians 2:14). He paid the ransom for our souls (Mark 10:45). We do not have to pay that anymore. It has been paid and settled.
As soon as Peter came into the house, Jesus knew his question before he asked it. Jesus asked Peter what he thought. He asked whether the children of kings pay taxes. Peter answered that the king’s children do not pay taxes because they live on what is paid to them. Jesus applied that principle to Himself as the Son of the King. As the Son of God, He was free from that obligation (Matthew 17:26).
Jesus also showed Peter that, as an adopted son, he, too, was free. Our temple tax has been paid because we are adopted. We are king’s children (Romans 8:15). Peter, Jesus, and we share that standing. We do not owe the temple tax. Others may still be required to pay it.
Not Offending Others
Notwithstanding, in verse 27, Jesus adds that even so, they should act so as not to offend others.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
Matthew 17:27
27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Then Jesus instructed Peter to do the strangest thing. Jesus told Peter to go to the sea and cast a hook. The first fish he caught would have the exact amount of money in its mouth to pay the tax for both of them. Peter went, and it happened just as Jesus said.
Jesus explained this was done so they would not offend others. The word offend means to scandalize, to cause someone to stumble, or to trip them into sin (Matthew 18:6-7). The concern was not the obligation but the witness. They were being watched, and they did not want to cause anyone to stumble.
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
We are also being watched. To avoid becoming a scandal or causing others to trip over our witness, we should pay our taxes. We should do it with that attitude. We pay them so no one is led into sin or offense because of us (1 Corinthians 10:32).
God’s Provision Through Obedience
When we act this way, God provides. When we obey simply because the word says to do it and we want to avoid becoming a stumbling block, God will supply what is needed. The provision came miraculously through the fish. Jesus did not avoid responsibility. He chose obedience for the sake of witness. When we maintain that attitude, the Lord will provide (Matthew 6:33).
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
Matthew 17 Verses 14-27 How to Pray for Hard Cases
Also see: