Help My Unbelief!

When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet Jesus. He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.” He answered them, “You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “If you are able! All things can be done for the one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You spirit that keeps this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!” After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “This kind can come out only through prayer.” Mark 9:14-29 

I have often stood by the ocean, with tears running down my face, praying for one situation or another in my life that was impossible at the time. Our home was by the ocean and I always feel closest to God by the water. This week, I have been faced with some seemingly impossible situations, and ache to be by that ocean and on those sands again, Yet, even in this impossible distance, I can hear the roar of the waves and the promise of a mighty solution.

A father brought his child to Jesus when all else had failed. The disciples had failed to free him. The child needed an impossible miracle to save his life from torment and his family from hideous ache and worry. Yet even in the darkest hour, God's love brought about the impossible. Everyone knew their need and their lack. God hears and responds to our cries with mighty solutions.

Today, I ask God to help me acknowledge my need and lack, always seeking God's solution to my impossible situations. May we not fear our lack but delight in the goodness of God.