An Echo in the Darkness (Mark of the Lion, #2)

by Francine Rivers

“I believe everything you’ve told me, Rapha. I swear it. I know God exists. I know he’s powerful.” “Even the demons believe, Alexander.” His hands tightened as he turned her to face him. Filled with an inexplicable fury, he swept the veils from her face so he could see her eyes. “What are you saying? That I’m a demon in your eyes?” “I’m saying your knowledge is all in your head, and that’s not enough. Saving knowledge is of the heart.” “I want saving knowledge,” he said, mollified, thinking again of Venescia. “What do you think I’ve been asking for all this time we’ve been together?” Hadassah shook her head. His hands dropped from her shoulders, and she sank down on a stool. Alexander went down on one knee before her and put his hands on her knees. “I believe, Rapha. I say all the prayers I’ve heard you say exactly the same, and still I never have the answers I need. Tell me where I’m going wrong.” “Maybe you receive no answers because you’re asking for the wrong things.” She put her hands over his. “Maybe what you really desire is God’s power and not his revealed wisdom.” Alexander let out his breath. “I’d take either one if it would help that woman get well. That’s all I want, Rapha, to heal people.” “It’s what I want, too, only in a different realm. God comes first.”

“You still don’t understand, Alexander. The answer isn’t in removing things from your life or adding more rules to follow. The answer is giving your life back to the God who created you. And he’s every bit as real as flesh and blood, the earth, reason. But I can’t make you see that. I can’t open your eyes and ears.”

Jesus forgave the men who drove the nails into his hands and feet. He forgave the people who mocked him as he hung on the cross. He even forgave the disciples for deserting him. Aren’t we all like that, Marcus? Fallible. Afraid. Weak in our faith. And still Jesus loves us and points the way to real freedom and what it means.”