Mark 9:14-27

 

         The line in this story that always stands out to me is the father's cry, "Help thou mine unbelief!"  This man believed, but he could not help but have human doubts and fears as well.  He believed Jesus could help his son, but he came first to His disciples.  They apparently thought this case was too hard, and their lack of faith hurt the faith of this grieving father.   People will let me down.  God never will.  This father turned to Jesus, affirming his faith and admitting his doubt.       

       I am so grateful I do not have to ever pretend to be spiritually stronger than I am.  God's ability is not dependent on my ability to conjure up faith.  I have had well-meaning Christians tell me that God didn't answer my prayer because I didn't have enough faith.  They are wrong.  God's power is not limited by my weakness.  He is God.  I believe in Him and His power.  I can freely fall at His feet and admit my weakness.  If my faith could make God do something, then I would be filled with self-righteous pride.  How ridiculous that would be!  I cannot "make" God do anything.  He is not obligated to do something just because I believe He will.  I cannot believe hard enough to make it happen.  He is not a magic genie that I can manipulate by achieving some superior state of spirituality.

       I'm glad of that, because I don't see what God sees.  My human mind cannot possibly understand God's plan for me or my world.  Even Jesus prayed for the Father's will to be done rather than His own (Matthew 26:39).  When I have doubts and fears, it's ok.  God understands my humanness.  I can freely admit my weakness to Him and lean on His power and wisdom.

       After the man cried out to Jesus, admitting his lack of faith, Jesus did not tell him that his son could have been healed if only his faith had been stronger.  Jesus healed the boy.  It was enough that the man came to Jesus and wanted to believe.