“Helping Unbelief”
HELPING UNBELIEF
Michael Mann, Chaplain
In Mk 9:14-29 Jesus (with Peter, James & John in tow) had just come from His transfiguration. When He returned, He found an anxious father waiting on Him…asking for his son (presumed to have epilepsy) to be healed. The disciples had tried to help to no avail so the father asked Jesus to heal the boy “if You can do anything…”
Jesus’ replied with what I read as surprised shock & appall. “If You can? Everything is possible for him who believes.”
The father, in what I can only imagine would be a desperate plea, replies, “I do believe: help my unbelief!” Or, as one translation puts it, “help me overcome my unbelief!”
QUESTION:
How did Jesus “help” this desperate father’s cry?
How did He help him overcome unbelief?
- Did He tell the father to fast or pray more?
- Did He send him to the latest, greatest revival meeting or church service?
- Did He send him to the region’s anointed spiritual leader? (which would have been interesting considering it’s Jesus)
- Did He even tell him to read & study the scriptures more?
No – not one of these – nor any one of the multitude of other good (Note: there is nothing inherently wrong with any of the above) spiritual activities we often prescribe or engage in ourselves.
Jesus recommended none of them. He simply performed a miracle and brought the needed healing/answer to prayer.
I wonder, how often do I allow myself to self-diagnose the cure for the nagging thoughts of unbelief that I so often battle when confronted with a need?
In doing so, my self-diagnosis too often pulls me to solutions that are entirely centered on my actions rather than Jesus
- If I study more,
- If I fast & pray more;
- If I get in services more then
I will overcome these unbelieving thoughts.
I do not find those solutions in Jesus’ response to this father’s cry.
Here’s what I find:
- A father faced with an impossible situation.
- A group of “believers” (the disciples) who’s traditional, religious-culture solutions and trite answers did not work; causing,
- An increased battle with unbelief on the father’s part; leading to,
- A father to question Jesus……….. “if you can…do”
- Jesus challenging the father, “No…if you can…believe”
- The father’s reply, “I do believe but I need help with this unbelief.”
- SOLUTION: Miracle received…Prayer answered.
God’s answer to helping unbelief is to do what only He can do.
My part is to cry for help!
In those times when I face situations that I don’t have the faith I need to “take the authority,”
Or when I have been so worn down by the battle that faith is waning,
Or I don’t have the faith-strength needed pray and trust for the answer…
There is a solution in God…I need to stop focusing on what I can or cannot do and
- focus on what I do know and believe about God,
- cry for help with the unbelief with which I am struggling, and
- watch God answer my prayer and bring a miracle that has nothing to do with my ability, only His.
I don’t know but I suspect that the next time this father faced a situation in which he needed a miracle the thoughts of unbelief did not have the same strength as before.
I can imagine him looking at his son & saying “I do believe, please help!!”
I am reminded of what David did after he killed Goliath. Scripture records that “David took the head of (Goliath) and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put (Goliath’s) armor in his (David’s) tent.” (2 Sam. 17:54)
I wonder how many times David looked at that armor when facing difficulties & said “I do believe…Help!”
I’ve also realized that this father’s prayer…”I do believe. Help me overcome this unbelief!”…is in fact a prayer…a cry… of faith and not the cry of a doubting man as I had viewed it.
That’s a prayer I can always pray in faith…”I do believe Lord. Help my unbelief”
What about you? What situation are you facing that appears “impossible”?
What have you been told?
- “I’m sorry, there’s nothing more that can be done…it’s hopeless.”
- “Why are you wasting your time…they’ll never change.”
- “We’ll never get past this.”
What have you heard? Listen to this: “If you can believe…”
What do you know and believe about Jesus? “Jesus took (the sick son) by the hand and lifted him up to his feet, and he stood up.”
HEALED…PRAYER ANSWERED…MIRACLE RECEIVED.
What about you…Pray with me - ”Lord, I do believe…help me overcome my unbelief!”
And then watch as God does what He does…works the needed miracle…brings the needed answer.
That is how Jesus helps us in our unbelief.
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