I do believe; help my unbelief!

I think the sentiment in Mark 9:24 above is profound. It’s a plea for hope, when we’ve started to place limits on God. The exclamation comes from a father who brings his little boy to Jesus and asks, “If You can help him…”

And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.”

I think Christ is a little bit irritated (Mark 9:23)! Don’t you get a little annoyed when people question your abilities - especially about things that you do on a regular basis, as second nature? What is it about us that makes us do the same thing to God? I think sometimes we get a little uppity and ask for things outside His plan, and He says no, but I think sometimes we also get confused and think that things are outside the realm of possibility for Him. We keep our expectations low to prevent disappointment.

Peter did the opposite at one point in his life, and it caused him to weep bitterly (Luke 22:33-34 and Luke 22:55-62). But what happened? Christ was way ahead of the game - he says in Luke 22:31-32,

Simon, Simon, behold: Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when you have turned once again, strengthen your brothers.

Christ prays for us, that our faith may not fail! That’s incredibly powerful. Hebrews 4:16 tells us to approach God with confidence. And we may not always get what we ask for, what is it they say about reaching for the stars? So when you’re in the desert, and God doesn’t appear to be present, or when you find yourself asking God to do something “if He can,” stop and cry out…

I do believe; help my unbelief!