Mark 9:24
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
In this passage we encounter a father in the midst of a profound struggle, caught between belief and doubt. His cry, “I believe; help my unbelief!” resonates deeply with many of us. This heartfelt plea reveals the paradox of faith: a simultaneous presence of belief and doubt.
The father’s vulnerability is striking. He does not pretend to have unwavering faith. Instead, he honestly acknowledges his struggle. This moment teaches us that faith is not about having all the answers or never experiencing doubt. Rather, faith can sometimes be expressed as surrendering our doubts to God, especially when our sense of faith feels fragile.
Jesus responds to this honest cry for help by healing the man’s son. This powerful response illustrates that God meets us where we are, in our imperfect faith. It is not the size of our faith that moves God, but our willingness to come to Him in our weakness. That in itself is faith—entrusting your concerns, uncertainties and everything to God.
In all our own lives, we often face situations that challenge our faith. Like the father in this story, we may find ourselves caught between belief and doubt. In times like these, it is important to remember that we can bring our honest struggles to God. He is not intimidated by our doubts; instead, He invites us to trust Him with them. We must stop pretending and presuming. Let’s humble ourselves and admit our need for God’s help.
Today, let us echo the prayer of this desperate father: “I believe; help my unbelief!” May we find comfort in knowing that God honours our honesty and meets us in our need, offering grace and strength to bolster our faith. Amen?
Pastor Josh