Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Mark 9 and Psalm 60

²⁴ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’

The demonised boy’s father was desperate for his son to be healed. He firmly believed that Jesus could bring deliverance and healing to his son. And yet at the same time, he found doubts rising. No one else had been able to help. Jesus’ disciples had been powerless to make a difference. What if Jesus also proved unable? He didn’t want to get his hopes up only to be dashed again. So he asked for Jesus’ help, while at the same time raising his doubt: “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” (v.22)

Jesus’ responds incredulously: ‘“If you can”? Everything is possible for one who believes.’ (v.23)

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’ (v.24)

This magnificent prayer is one we all need to hold close to our hearts. Pride comes before a fall, and the one who thinks they will never need this prayer is on dangerous ground. Doubt and confusion comes to every single one of us at some stage. For many, it comes daily. But this father shows us that when we acknowledge our faltering faith and recognise that our faith is mingled with unbelief, the Lord responds with grace to meet us where we are.

As Hiebert writes in his commentary on these verses: “A faith which declares itself openly and at the same time recognizes its weakness and pleads for help is a growing faith. Both are the frequent experience of disciples of all times.”

Life application: If and when you feel your faith faltering today, don’t deny it to yourself or to the Lord. Acknowledge it and ask the Lord to step in, to come to your aid, to move on your behalf and to strengthen your faith.