And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. And he asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?" And someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that made him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid...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!" Mark 9:14-18a, 22b-24
I know and believe that with God all things are possible. I know and believe that God works for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purposes. I know and believe all these things, but how often, O Lord, do I behave as if i don't believe? How often do I let doubts and concerns and fears and stress blot out the bright rays of Your Holy Love? Lord God, my God and my King! I believe; help my unbelief!
Amen
4 comments:
Someone once asked me what biblical character I identified with most. My response was this unnamed guy. Didn't impress anyone.
It shouldn't have, that is what is so great about this "someone's" prayer. It's not about him, it's not about Jabez's prayer, it's not about being "Purpose Driven" or finding "Your Best Life" as I'm sure you understand. It's about Christ and Him crucified.
I completely agree. I think I was asked this in a training setting. The instructor was suggesting that we have clients search through the scriptures and identify with the lives of the bible characters toward therapeutic ends. The only problem is that my clients don't have the vocation that David did, so God's promises to David do not ipso facto apply to them. But I digress. I think this guy is Everyman - a beggar who must look to Christ alone and cannot even trust his own feeble heart.
And it is not until we can come to Christ as beggars, fully aware that we cannot trust ourselves and our own motives, that we receive the very Kingdom of Heaven through His merits. What a wonderful thing this is!
Post a Comment