Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Job 15-17
     New Testament Reading: Mark 9

“How long has this been happening to him?” Jesus asked his father. “From childhood,” he said. “And many times it has thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 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 9:21-24).

Sometimes faith seems effortless. Worship is meaningful and praise naturally flows from our lips. The Bible seems alive and meaningful to our everyday life. Prayer is spontaneous, and we feel the presence of God as we walk with Him throughout our day.

But then there are the long stretches of life where faith is a battle. Nothing seems certain and everything seems to be against you. You feel like you’re drowning in a tidal wave of trials. God, for whatever reason, seems like He’s moved and left no forwarding address.

That was the condition of an exasperated father who came to Jesus. His son, his only son, was not only a deaf-mute and an epileptic, but an evil spirit also possessed him. Ever since the boy was young, the demon had thrown him into fires and water, trying to destroy him.

Imagine the pain of the father. Other dads could watch their children grow and mature; he could only watch his child suffer. While others were teaching their sons an occupation, he was just trying to keep his son alive.

He was desperate and tired, a parent with a sick son in need of a miracle. How much faith could you gather in this situation? Yet, to his credit, the man was still clawing and clinging to hope. He brought his son to Jesus, the miracle worker he had heard so much about. Just maybe He could do something for His son, just maybe He will care enough to heal him.

He approached Jesus and pleaded desperately, if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us (v22). Listen to that prayer. Hardly sounds courageous or confident, does it? It’s a heart-rending cry of desperation emerging from years of hopeless despair.

Jesus told him it was not a question of His ability to heal, but of the father’s ability to believe. The father expressed the paradox of faith and unbelief experienced by God’s people throughout the ages. I do believe; help my unbelief! (v24). What an honest prayer! How often do we find ourselves like this man? We want to believe, yet find ourselves filled with doubt.

Give this poor man credit. With his faith on life support, he at least had the spiritual wherewithal to approach Jesus. He made an honest appeal, with no pretense, no boasting, no posturing, just a simple prayer. Certainly, the father’s prayer isn’t much, but the answer is, and the result reminds us: The power is not in the prayer; it’s in the One who hears it.