Re:Verse reading–Mark 9:14-29 (day two) Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” vs. 24
Sounds a bit confusing, doesn’t it? You either believe or you don’t. Right? Perhaps, but faith isn’t always that cut and dried. What this father recognizes early, the disciples took longer, and maybe didn’t get at all. To say that we believe does not mean that we understand or fully comprehend. This father is desperate to help his son, but doesn’t just say yes to Jesus for a quick fix. He acknowledges Jesus’ power, but then quickly acknowledges how little he truly understands. Rarely, if ever, will we be able to say that we completely understand the plans and methods of God. He doesn’t ask us to. Submit that he does have the power to save, and leave your trust and need for details there.
We can certainly learn from this father’s lack of faith. This man had a mental reservation even though he said he believed.
People should not test the Lord in ways like this man but should choose instead to demonstrate a strong and uncompromised faith and trust in God without any mental reservations. To be effective, we must believe and trust God with all our hearts and minds!