[Jesus said to a crowd], “You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you?” (Mark 9:19).

This is one of the few times that Jesus expressed deep frustration with the crowds following him. In this case, he’s upset that after all his teaching about prayer and faith, they still don’t get it. And yet he turns around and proceeds to demonstrate once more the power of faith.

Where now in your life do you find it hard to believe in the power of God? Frankly, Jesus may be exasperated with you, especially if he’s been working with you on this. But he’s not going to give up on you. He is there to show you, once more, his power to affect lasting change. Pray that he will do just that.

–Mark Galli
This is part of Mark Galli’s guided journal, “Discovering the Untamable God,” a 12-week journey through the Gospel of Mark. Twice a week, you’ll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you encounter the wild, untamable Jesus of the Gospel of Mark and let his radical sayings and actions transform your life. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion. If you’re joining this journal mid-way through, you can start journaling at any time, and stay subscribed at the end, when the journal will restart and you can receive the prompts that you missed.