“And he asked his father, ‘How long is it ago since this came unto him?’ And he said, ‘Of a child. And oft times it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.’ Jesus said unto him, ‘If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.’ And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief'” (Mark 9:21-24 KJV).
How many of us look at a situation — our situations — and try to calculate the probabilities of achieving our desires? Perhaps we fail to remember that God often works miracles through dreamers who move forward in faith.
Like the father in today’s passage, we consider the practical side and come up with ‘it is possible if it is God’s will.” Maybe we say, “God is able.” Yet, we should note that Jesus — God with Us — never said either of those two. In fact, He seems to be shocked that this father would even say “if you can do anything.” One might wonder why the father brought his son to Jesus, if he wasn’t certain of his help.
With a proper consideration, we may conclude that the issue does not hinge upon God’s ability or his will. Jesus clearly states the issue for us all. “All things are possible to the one who has faith.” Philip Yancey writes, “Faith often appears where least expected and falters where it ought to thrive.” When we bring our needs and desires to the Lord, our faith ought to thrive. That is why we petition him . . . because we believe that He will do what we ask.
Perhaps, like this distraught father, we have a hard time truly grasping the “all things” concept. Perhaps, like him, we have seen too much of life in the doubting lane. And, like him, we need help with our faith. Nothing wrong with that. At least he knew who to ask for stronger faith, too.
An unknown author wrote, “Faith looks across the storm and does not doubt; or stop to look at clouds and things without. Faith does not question why when all God’s ways are hard to understand, but trusts and prays.”
Dear Father, thank you for strengthening our faith. Empower us to believe for all things. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today and believe for all things,