If you Can?
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:21-24
The words of a father who feels helpless reach out and grab me every time I read them. He believes Jesus can heal his son who has been living with an impure spirit until He sees his son at his worst and is reminded once again of the state he is in. He wants desperately to trust Jesus. I believe the father does trust Jesus, except when he doesn’t.
Maybe the boy’s father has an on again- off again relationship with this thing called trust. He’s heard what Jesus can do. He has watched Jesus heal others. He’s been amazed to hear the stories or see with his own eyes what Jesus has done. However, when it comes to his own situation, it seems impossible. He starts to think maybe Jesus can’t heal his son. The circumstance is hopeless.
We all want to believe. I know in my own life it’s so easy to believe when I’m not in a situation that requires much faith. When things are good, I can look at my friends’ situation and wonder why they are struggling so much to trust. I truly trust God for them. I truly believe God will work in their circumstance. I even know several circumstances of my own God can work in.
There are other things that occur in my life, however, that I find more difficult to exercise faith. I’ll call it circumstantial trust. It’s where my heart wants to believe but my head puts limits on what God can do. I find myself saying to God what the father of the boy said… “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
What is the circumstance in your own life where you find it hard to put complete trust in God? You’ve trusted Him in so many other areas, but you must hold on to this particular circumstance tightly because it seems impossible. You must stay in control and keep a firm grip on the situation.
Maybe it’s time for you to open up your fists and say to God… “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” He can work. He wants to work. He’s ready to work. We just need to get out of His way.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help us to loosen our grip and give the circumstance to you and never take it back. We look forward to allowing you to work as only you can do. How will you Devote2day?
When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. “ “If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer]” Mark 9:14-29