based on the Love God Greatly Series, The Armor of God, w4d2
Scripture: Mark 9:14-29/SOAP: 24-25
Immediately the father of the boy cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 Now when Jesus saw that a crowd was quickly gathering, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
Mark 9:24-25
The Object of One’s Faith is Critical
In my studies of this passage I found a quote by Gotquestions.org that is helpful if not crucial to understanding the scene with the demon possessed boy and the father’s desire for Jesus to heal him.
The believing one has power only due to the one he believes in.
gotquestions.org
Why do I believe this is so important? Because the healing clearly hinged upon what or who the father placed his belief in. The father’s earlier statement that the disciples had failed to heal his son most likely had affected the man’s belief that Jesus would be able to heal the child; at the very least, it had caused him to doubt. So, Jesus repeats the man’s words – possibly to point out the doubt and emphasize that one must believe in Jesus and His ability to cast out the demon. Whatever the reason for Jesus’ words, the father then proclaims his belief, showing he understood the importance of believing by asking that Jesus would help him past any unbelief – and, at Jesus’ command, the boy was healed, highlighting the truth that the one who believes has power only due to the one he believes in.
Bibleref.com makes this statement concerning the passage: “True faith doesn’t presume that God will do what we want but that God can do what He wants.”
Prayer Response to the Word
Father, help me to continually center my belief on You. It is so easy to get caught up in situations or struggles and cry out with our eyes on the problem rather than on You the only one who can truly answer our requests – be it healing or provision or wisdom. Help me to remember that faith doesn’t mean that You can or will do what I want but that You can do what You want to. In those moments of life when I am desperate, do not allow my desperation to overshadow my belief in You. And, as this father prayed – so pray I – “help my unbelief”. – In Him who I have placed my Trust – Thank You and Amen!
Reflections from our Journey
- What does the Bible teach about the nature and power of faith in relation to overcoming obstacles and receiving answers to prayer?
- How can we apply this understanding to cultivate a deepr faith in Jesus Christ?
Going Further
https://www.gotquestions.org/all-things-possible-him-who-believes.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/only-come-out-by-prayer-and-fasting.html