What is it you are asking God
for? Healing? Financial relief? A broken
relationship? In Mark 9, we read about the
father of a boy possessed by an evil spirit.
The father was hoping Jesus could heal his son. He said to him in verse 23, “…if you can do
anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus’s reply stopped me in my tracks when I
recently read this story, He repeated the man’s statement back to him “if you
can”? You can almost hear the
incredulity in His voice. Here is the
Son of God and the man isn’t sure He can take care of his need.
Mark
9:23b-24 – Everything is possible for the one who believes. Immediately the boy’s
father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Things to think about:
· “Help me
overcome by unbelief” – what an interesting statement. He says he believes but also asks for help
with his unbelief.
o
It’s like saying I have some gas in the tank but not a full tank.
· I find that I’m
not so different as this desperate father.
I definitely believe but I know I need help to believe to the full
measure.
o
Maybe you feel this way sometimes too?
· If we can
equate belief with faith, let’s look at Hebrews 11:1
o
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what
we do not see”
§ Sure and
certain – this isn’t wishing, this is calling on the Holy One of Heaven
o
You already know some of the examples cited in Hebrews 11, the
Hall of Faith chapter.
§ Heb. 11:7 – “By
faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an
ark to save his family.”
§ Heb. 11:8 – “By
faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his
inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he
was going”
· In James 2:18
– “…Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by
my deeds.”
o
Our deeds are our faith in action.
We have to walk the talk even when it’s scary and into the unknown.
· Hebrews 11:6 –
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to
him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly
seek Him.”
· Are you
struggling to believe, really believe, that God will answer your prayer?
o
Ask for help with your unbelief
o
Believe earnestly (i.e., sincerely)
o
Commit to the path of what God is calling
you into (walk in faith)
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