I believe, help my unbelief

²¹ And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to

him?” And he said, “From childhood. ²² And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” ²³ And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” ²⁴ Immediately the father of the child cried out^[d] and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9

Why did the father ask, “If you can?”  Two reasons.  First, Jesus disciples were unable to help deliver and heal the child.  To put it another way, he tried what the disciples said would work, and it didn’t. Second, the father had never seen someone helped like he needed help.  He most likely had heard that help was available, which is why he was with the disciples.  But it wasn’t working for him.

This story sounds a lot like many people who have attended church in America.  Everyone goes through the religious motions of being a Christian.  They hear that God loves them.  They hear about the miracles of Jesus.  They hear about the miracles of Peter and Paul.  They may even hear about a modern day miracle in another country.  However, they do not know anyone personally who has experienced a miracle.  And the prayers for their own needs feel anemic.  This leads to the same confession of the Father, “If God can help?”  We think incorrectly, “Maybe God is not concerned about my needs, maybe he isn’t able to heal or help my need.”

Jesus makes a bold statement in response to the man.  “All things are possible for the one who believes.”  Because of the father’s immediate response of “I believe help my unbelief”, we would assume that Jesus was talking about the man not having enough faith. BUT perhaps Jesus was declaring a truth about himself first.  Because He believes that God worked in his life…all things were possible including healing this child of being mute and having demonic possession.

To minister deliverance one must know that operating under the authority of Jesus is the most important thing.  All interaction with Satan’s kingdom is subject to the Kingdom of God.  The old system MUST give way, to the new.  Jesus knew this information and was declaring that setting the captive free was possible.

To be sure, we identify most with the father as he expresses his pain, anguish and fear, “I believe, help my unbelief.”  On one hand we can say that God can do anything he pleases.  On the other hand, we can point to pain and suffering that a person may have that has not received healing after repeated long term prayer. 

Believe truth and let our experience catch up with our belief.  It is important to confess what is true, right, and honorable about God.  When we are at a loss in how to reconcile the inconsistency of our experience and God’s truth….Choose God.  May God help our unbelief.