Maybe no truer statement of faith is made in Scripture then in Mark 9:24;
“Lord, I do believe; help my unbelief.” (NASB)
Can you relate to that today?
“God I trust you with this part of my life, but not this other stuff over here.” “God I trust you with small decisions, but not the major ones of life.” “Lord I trust you with the blessing over my food, but not the provision of my family.”
A father brings his demon possessed son to Jesus for help. However Jesus wasn’t there. He was with Peter, James and John on a mountain the Bible tells us. The place which is now referred to as the mount of transfiguration. Jesus and the few disciples have this powerful mountain top experience, but return an ensuing argument. The religious leaders were arguing with the disciples who had remained behind.
As Jesus got closer to the crowd, those who were onlooking left the argument and ran towards Him. What a beautiful picture. They had enough of that argument and just wanted to be close to Jesus. No doubt they wanted to see what Jesus would do next.
Are there somethings you could let go of to be able to focus more on what Jesus is doing?
Jesus causally asks them what they are discussing at which point we are reminded of the demon possessed boy.
The disciples had been unable to help the boy. The father shared that with Jesus and Jesus responded by addressing the crowd, addressing the disciples, addressing the father, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!”
Spending time with Jesus, should increase our faith. (Look at Jesus' response in Mark 9:29)
The father then timidly told Jesus, “If you can do anything take pity on us and help us.”
“If you can?” was Jesus response.
The last resort this father had was to bring his boy to Jesus. His faith or desperation had been high enough to get him there in the first place. But through the course of all that transpired since he first arrived in front of the disciples, his faith had weakened. And understandably so. Maybe because the disciples failed to cast out the demon. Maybe because those that should have been helping him had resorted to arguing. Maybe because he simply realized he didn’t know what was going to happen.
But what happened next is something that we can take comfort in today. Jesus reassured him.
Jesus said, “All things are possible to him who believes.”
What a statement! I want all things to be possible. But sometimes I don’t believe that they are. I’m not consistently strong in my faith. Through trials and obstacles, life beat my belief, my faith down. I question, “Is it really always possible?” If you are being honest with yourself, do you?
What happened next amazes me. The father acknowledges that he felt the same way that I have at times He acknowledges that he felt perhaps the same way you have as well. He does so with one of the most sincere prayers in Scripture, “Lord, I do believe; help my unbelief.” He is saying, “I know it is possible, but I still have doubts. However I am going to suspend those doubts and put my confidence and trust in you Jesus.”
Regardless of what happens next, can you too suspend those doubts”?
Are you wiling to allow Jesus to help grow your faith in Him and know that all things are possible?
Join me in praying;
“Lord, I do believe; help my unbelief.”
