S – Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’? Everything is possible for the one who believes.”
Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:23–24 CSB
O – Commentary: Perhaps the first lesson for us in this story is that God does not demand perfect faith in people. We do believe. But we still need help for our unbelief. Jesus accepts even imperfect faith and generously works His miracles in our lives. As we continue to grow in our relationships with Him, He does indeed “help our unbelief,” gradually replacing it with a more perfect trust in Him.
But there is another lesson as well. The disciples who had been unable to help were troubled by their powerlessness. Afterward, they asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
Jesus answered, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
For the challenges of our lives as Jesus’ disciples, we must rely, not on our own strength, but completely on God’s. And we express that dependence most perfectly in prayer.
A – The Commentary nailed it. God doesn’t demand perfect faith. He desires a growing faith. One fighting the tension of belief and trust. The way to grow faith is to grow relationships. The more you know someone, the more you trust them. Prayer and being in God’s presence (The Word, worship and inviting the Holy Spirit into your day) is so important.
R – Lord, continue to grow my faith by spending time with you throughout today. Let my belief develop into a deeper faith and trust in you.
Just Add Water . Chris Bonham 