I believe, help my unbelief!
Summary of thoughts, and quotes are from this sermon......
I am a lifelong believer in Jesus Christ.
I am also a lifelong unbeliever.
When I think of my sins, I'm not sure He will forgive me. When I feel the power of old habits, I wonder if He can free me from them. When assuring others they can become new creatures in Christ, I often doubt that I can be re-made in His Image.
I think most of us are in the same boat.
It's hard to have faith that is unwavering. There are many forces at work to undermine our faith. Satan doesn't want us to believe. The world doesn't want us to believe. Even our own flesh (the imperfect part of us, not yet sanctified) doesn't want us to believe.
All true for the father in this story. Plus a few more roadblocks. His son was extremely sick, and had been extremely sick for a very long time. His own prayers for his son's healing had failed, and even the disciples hadn't been able to heal him. He had reason to doubt.
Even the little faith the man had was given him by God (just as all faith is - we cannot believe on our own). Jesus knew his faith was small, and He called him out on it. And yet He still loves those who suffer with un-belief, or weak belief, or half-belief. And He wants to encourage that faith, and show us that it is well founded.
Jesus took this man's small faith, and He uses it.
He will do the same for you and me. When we confess the smallness of our faith and ask Him for help, He will honour that request!
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 32-34; Mark 9:30-50
2 comments:
Mark 9:24
Immediately the father of the child cried out[d] and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!
We are all guilty of unbelief, or having small faith, at times in our lives. I pray for strength and stronger faith, and realize that I'm just a small part of everything and need help from God.
What an encouraging post Tammy! There have been times in my life where God has provided that faith for me when I simply could not. Oh how He loves us!!!
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