Confess Your Doubt

Mark 9:19,22-24 But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (ESV)

Jesus places rather a high premium on faith – or more specifically, us putting our faith in Him, our trust in Him, particularly in those times when it’s difficult for us to do so.

It’s a real dilemma, isn’t it? You want to believe that Jesus will show up when you need Him, but it’s precisely when things seem impossible that your faith seems to elude you.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. A man whose son was demon possessed, unable to speak, constantly suffering from fits, brought him to the disciples. But they couldn’t cast the demon out. When Jesus arrived, He was seriously unimpressed:

Mark 9:19 O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me. (ESV)

What was He unimpressed with? Their lack of faith. Now put yourself in the dad’s shoes for a moment. How confident are you at this point, after hearing that rebuke, in your own faith? So the man says to Jesus:

Mark 9:22-24 But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (ESV)

There was a huge gap between what Jesus knew He could do, and what the man believed He could do. This father was torn – he wanted to believe, but something inside him doubted. And in desperation he cried out: I believe, help my unbelief. That, as things turned out, was more than enough. Jesus cast the demon out and the boy was set free.

Our faith doesn’t have to be perfect. Just confess your doubts to Jesus. That’s more than enough.

And that’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.

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