Our scripture this morning is Mark 9:21-24.
“How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
In this story we hear of a boy possessed by a demon and his father’s efforts to have him healed. Earlier in this chapter the disciples were unable to help the boy, and they are in consternation as Jesus arrives. The boy’s father asks Jesus to help “if You can”.
Jesus tells him “anything is possible if a person believes.” This is not a question of His power, but of our faith. The father showed faith by coming to Jesus in the first place but now he cries to Him “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
Author Philip Yancey writes “Sometimes we ask God for things we should be doing ourselves” but this is not one of those instances. Only our faith that Jesus can do anything will suffice here. We must be willing to do the things assigned to us in faith and leave the things we cannot change ourselves to His keeping.
Heavenly Father, we are thankful for Your many blessings to us, none more important than the gift of Your son. Help us to go in faith, sharing the love You first gave us. Amen.
