Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.”
Mark 9:23-24 NKJV

Our Scripture passage today is about a father who comes to Jesus after the disciples had been unable to remove a demonic spirit from his son. This spirit would cause the boy to convulse and would throw the boy into the fire or into the water in an effort to destroy him. You can only imagine the desperation of the father at this point.

When Jesus says “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” He is pointing out the father’s lack of faith. Of course, Jesus had the ability to heal the boy even if the father lacked faith. But here, Jesus is emphasizing the power of faith.

Faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. In other words, true faith is not based on scientific evidence or what we can see, but rather it is based on what we cannot see and our belief in God and His sovereignty and power. In his commentary on Hebrews 11:1, John MacArthur says that true faith is a gift from God.

As Christians we know we will have troubles in this world. Our faith will be tested. James 1:2-4 says to count it all joy when we fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Our life here on earth is just a journey. We can go to heaven, or we can go to hell as our final destination. The choice is ours. Our final destination is determined by how we live here on earth.

I spend a lot of time talking to you about having faith and being strong, but if I’m being honest there are times when I feel as though I am falling. I feel as though I am failing in my faith and I allow fear to take me over. These are the times when I have to stop myself. I have to remember all the times God has come to rescue me. I have to recall all the times God has worked some of the worst things in my life out for my good (Romans 8:28). I have to trust in Him and His plan knowing His ways are higher than my ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). He can see the future, and I have to trust that He knows best. Simply put, He’s got this.

You know I love the Old Testament. I guess it’s because I can identify with those poor Israelites. They would walk in faith and do well. God would do wonderful things for them like parting the Red Sea, raining manna down from heaven, giving them water from a rock just to name a few. Then they would lose faith and start to trust in idols.

I did the same thing for years. I now try to stop myself before I go too far, but it isn’t always easy. It’s so easy to worry that the worst will happen.

Then I think about Joseph (Genesis 37-50). His brother’s sold him into slavery, he was falsely accused and put into prison, and then he became second in command in Egypt. Joseph never lost faith in these very trying times and God used all his circumstances to bring him into the place of power.

I admire this father in our Scripture passage for asking Jesus to help his unbelief. The first step in solving a problem is admitting there is a problem.

My friend, if you feel fear creeping in, stop it right there. Ask God to strengthen your faith and help you to overcome your fear. God asks us to do a lot of difficult things, but He never asked us to do it alone. He is there for us. He is willing to help if we will only ask.

In times of trouble turn to Him. That’s what our Father is for, to help us in tough times.

Have a great day!