I Believe; Help my Unbelief!

“All things are possible for one who believes.”

─ Mark 9:23 ESV

Shel Silverstein, an American writer known for his cartoons, songs and children’s books wrote: “Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me … Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.” Shel Silverstein

In our verse today, Jesus said, “All things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23 NASB).

We need to go up a few verses to understand the context of Jesus’ words. A man in the crowd called out to Jesus and said he’d brought his son for healing. The boy, unable to speak, convulsed with an unclean spirit, fell to the ground foaming at the mouth (verses 17-20).

Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” (verse 20).

His father replied, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us” (verse 22).

And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes” (verse 23).

Immediately the father said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (verse 24).

Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again” (verse 25). And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead” (verse 26). But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose (verse 27).

Sometimes we have difficulty trusting that God can do or will do what He’s promised. Perhaps we’ve experienced disappointment that speaks louder than our belief. But Jesus said, all things are possible, all you have to do is believe according to His Word. If He said it, He’ll do it.

Today’s One Thing

Are you faced with a challenge today, struggling to take God at His Word? Follow the example of the father in this story. Speak out to Jesus and tell Him how much you want to believe. Then ask Him to help your unbelief.

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