Day 16: Help My Unbelief
Today we read of a confession of faith and a cry for help in Mark chapter 9. We read of a father, desperate and at his wit's end. While Jesus was on the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James and John, the man brought his son to the disciples for deliverance and healing, and the disciples could not help. You can imagine the chaos: frustrated disciples, now arguing, a distraught father, a suffering child and the teachers of the law ridiculing—a battle of kingdoms. The words used by Mark to describe the boy's struggle are descriptive and expressive: foaming, gnashing and destroying. They describe a darkness that is opposed to the image of God in the boy - and the father knows where to find the true Imago Dei.
Jesus observes the commotion, gets irritated and rebukes those around, “How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” (vs 19) Jesus and the boy's father talk about how long this has been going on, and the father asks, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” To which Jesus responds, “If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes.” The father responds with a confession of faith and a cry for help. “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
What is it in our lives that we do not believe God can do anything about? What do we think God will not solve? What do we believe God cannot handle? Where in our hearts have we said to the Lord, “if you can?”
We know the outcome, Jesus takes authority over the demon oppressing the child, and the child is set free and healed. This story is one we can identify with, the desperation, the questions and the cry for help. The Lord wants your honesty, your questions and your uncertainty. He can handle all of it, and he'd much rather you question Him than ignore Him.
When the chaos settles, and Jesus and the disciples are home, they are still reeling from the day's events and ask, “Why couldn't we drive it out?' Jesus replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting.” I have found that there are times in life when the Lord has encouraged a time of fasting, specifically when deliverance, breakthrough or healing is needed. I think of my own family situation where Phil and I committed to prayer and fasting every week for my brother who desperately needed a miracle. Two years later, we saw God answer, in His timing and His way.
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when my trust in You has been overshadowed by doubt and my spiritual walk has strayed. Strengthen me, Lord. I do believe, help my unbelief. Help my unbelief about reconciliation. Help my unbelief when I struggle to forgive. Help my unbelief about healing. Help my unbelief about your direction. In your name, amen.
Reflect and Respond
Meditate
“And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for.” (1 John 5:14-15)
