These are the words of a father desperate for his demon-possessed son to be made well. He had brought his son to be cleansed of a demon, but Jesus wasn’t there, just nine of the disciples. So, he asked the disciples to help. The disciples tried and failed time after time for hours.

I’m sure the disciples were getting frustrated, but the father was getting scared that maybe no one could help his boy.

But now, Jesus was there.

The father’s belief was waning, but now Jesus, Himself, was there. Jesus asks what was going on and the disciples and the father explain. This ends with the the father saying…

“‘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.’”

It is then that the father blurts out, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” He wanted to believe. He really wanted his son to be healed, but he also had serious doubts, especially after the disciples had failed.

I love the father’s honesty.

He didn’t try to fake it and say that of course, he believed. He also didn’t just accept his doubts and walk away. He asked Jesus to help him overcome his doubts and unbelief.

Sometimes, when we pray, we have doubts about whether God can or will help. Maybe we are wondering if anyone can help or if it’s completely hopeless.

We don’t need to try to fake it with God…(it wouldn’t work anyway). We can ask God to help us to believe and overcome our doubts. God doesn’t despise those who have to ask for help believing. Rather, He helps us to overcome our unbelief.

Jesus cast the demon out of the boy.

“Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!”

This is another point I love in this story. Jesus doesn’t just cast out the evil spirit, He commands the spirit to never enter the boy again. It’s an extra bit of assurance to comfort this father who had struggled with unbelief. It’s as if Jesus said, “Your son is healed and don’t worry, this isn’t temporary. It will never happen again.”

What a loving God we have!

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Sometimes I struggle to believe. I doubt You are listening. I doubt You can help the problem or maybe You just won’t. Help me to believe. Help me to overcome my doubts. Thank You that I can come to You even with these kinds of struggles and know that You listen and respond with grace and mercy.

Amen

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.