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how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you?

how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? (Matthew 17:17)

We do not like to fail Jesus. We never set out with the thought that "Today I will fail Jesus!" It sometimes happens, and we are at a loss for words or thoughts about what we can do about it. On this particular day, the disciples failed Jesus. A father with an epileptic boy, whose condition caused him to harm himself and even to fall into the fire, brings the son before the disciples with hope that they can cure the boy of what ailed him. But they couldn't. And the dad then takes him to Jesus. Jesus' reaction is one of frustration that leads him to ask the disciples this question: "How much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you?"

I wish I could say that my father never was disappointed or frustrated with me; I gave him plenty of reasons to be. And my dad may have said something along the lines of Jesus. But I never doubted my dad's love and acceptance for me; that was a precious given, and one that I never lost. Yes, my dad was maybe disappointed or frustrated, or even angry at me, but he always loved me. In the same way, the disciples knew Jesus was not trying to rid Himself of them. He was hoping that the could have done more at that particular time, and they didn't.

Ours is to try again, and not fail Jesus. Nor should we give up on those who count on us who may let us down. Love continues, and frustrations and disappointments will fade away. Seek to please the Lord and not let him down.

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