If? What do we mean by ‘if’? Are there any reasons for anyone uttering such phrases as ‘if,’ among His believers? Mark 9:22-25

Mark 9:22-25 New American Standard Bible

²² It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to kill him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” ²³ But Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’  All things are possible for the one who believes.” ²⁴ Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” ²⁵ When Jesus saw that a crowd was ^[a]rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I ^[b]command you, come out of him and do not enter him ^[c]again!”

Word of God for the Children of God

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Mark 9:24 Amplified Bible

²⁴ Immediately the father of the boy cried out [with a desperate, piercing cry], saying, “I do believe; help [me overcome] my unbelief.”

This cry came from a man who was heartbroken over the state of his son.

He was desperately hoping Jesus’ disciples could help, when they couldn’t, he began to feel more and more doubt if help was going to materialize for his son.

Jesus’ words that prompted this cry for help were both the gentle rebuke and the reminder that he needed in that moment – refocus on what God can do!

…Everything is possible for one who believes.’ (Mark 9:23)

I have needed to hear that on my Christian journey as well.

For, as much as I love the Lord, there have been times when I’ve veered into doubt. Every other word churning from deep within my crying soul was “if”

If my attitude came out of fear, discouragement, even impatience, it’s revealed a weakness in me. But within the conversations and the healing in this account, I’ve found great reassurance and hope that my faith can mature beyond “if?”.

Becoming stronger in our faith is a lifelong process.

The great news is that we are not expected to mature on our own.

God will do the work in our hearts.

We do have an important part to play in His plan, though.

The Meaning of ‘Lord, I Believe; Help My Unbelief’ in Mark 9:24

What the man shouts here can sound contradictory.

He claims to believe, yet, in the same breath he also confesses to unbelief.

It took me a whole bunch of studying to appreciate the wisdom in his words.

Now I see that this father understood that faith in God is not a one-and-done choice or just a simple switch that God turns on at our moment of salvation.

Early on as a believer, I had been taught the idea that God changes us gradually, as the layers of an onion are peeled off.

This can apply to faith.

How much we grow in our belief over time depends on “if” we are willing to:

• Let go of trying to control
• Submit to God’s will
• Trust in God’s ability
• being teachable in the truth of the Word of God.
• believe that the word “if” loses its value when face to face with the Word of God.
• feast upon the deeper implications from this truth: ³⁰ He (Jesus) must increase [in prominence], but I must decrease. (John 3:30 Amplified)

The father quickly realized he needed to admit his inability to heal his son.

Then he declared that Jesus could do the healing.

“If” He could help. “If” He was inclined to help. “If” He was being truthful.

“If” he would not require a fee for His service – not moving until he was paid.

Mark 9:23 Amplified Bible

²³ Jesus said to him, “[You say to Me,] ‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes and trusts [in Me]!”

The result was joyous—his child’s health was renewed, and his faith increased.

“”If” only someone, anyone, would take pity and “Help My Unbelief!””

A (sincere, insincere), prayer for faith that God wants us to give our answer to.

Suggestions and Prayers to Ask God to Help Our Unbelief

This account describes a parent that has been engaged in a long-term struggle for his son’s life.

Most situations we find ourselves dealing with are not quite so dramatic.

But if we can take the principles in Mark 9, apply them to prevent doubt from creeping in during all sorts of momentary or ongoing challenges in our lives.

1. Help My Unbelief About Reconciliation

Relationships are an integral part of God’s design for us.

But as imperfect humans, we can easily find ourselves estranged from Him, and others who are important to us.

In some cases the problems get resolved right away. But on occasion, for whatever reason, we stay separated longer. While a personal connection is “on hold,” we can choose to let pessimism set in, or we can keep pursuing God.

Lord, I admit my doubt that this relationship (with You, with another person) can be reconciled. It has been damaged, and has stayed broken for a long time. Your Word says that Jesus came so that we could be reconciled to You, and calls us to be reconciled to each other. I ask that You help me do my part, and then to rest in expectation that You are working for good here. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

2. Help My Unbelief When I Struggle to Forgive

The command to forgive is woven all through the Bible. But when we are hurt or betrayed by someone, our tendency is to automatically turn far away from that person rather than going toward them. In those difficult moments, we can let our feelings lead us, or we can choose to faithfully obey God’s call to seek peace.

Heavenly Father, I am struggling to forgive, and wonder if I’ll ever be able to. The pain I feel is real, and I don’t know when it will ease. But Jesus taught that we are to forgive others so that we may be forgiven ourselves. So, even as I’m still feeling anger and hurt, Lord, help me to decide to have grace for this person. Please make me willing to release my feelings, trusting that You will take care of both of us in this situation and bring peace. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

3. Help My Unbelief About Healing

When we study God’s promises about healing, our natural response to physical or mental health conditions is to sigh in relief, and lift them up. Sometimes an answer to our prayer comes right away. But other times, healing is very slow in coming. We can allow the waiting lead us to despair, or to draw closer to God.

Father God, I confess that I am battling doubt that You will heal me (my family member, friend, etc.). Health conditions are always worrisome, and this one has gone on for a while. I know You promise in Your Word to “heal all our diseases” and make us whole. But as I wait, Lord, let me not fall into despair, but to become more confident that I will see Your goodness. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

4. Help My Unbelief About Provision

Scripture gives us so many great examples of how God cares for His people. But if our needs do not get met as quickly as we would expect, it can be challenging to remain quiet, settled and keep calm in our spirit. We can navigate this season impatiently, in expectation of how God will work. God answers sincere prayers.

Gracious Lord, I come to You and confess my doubt that You will provide for me. All through history, You have watched over Your people, knowing what we need before we ever pray about it. So, Father, help me to believe those truths, and to know in my heart You are already working. Replace my fear with hope. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Mark 9:14-27 is a stirring description of one of Jesus’ miraculous healings.

With His words, He saved a boy from a tormenting spirit. With other words, Jesus brought the father to a new level of belief and faith.

I relate to that father’s plea about weakness, because if I’m honest, it echoes my own. I’m so grateful God invites us to grow, and then walks side by side with us.

Each step we to take, from confession to proclaiming our confidence, pleases Him.

So, “if” we are indeed ready and sincere, let’s start the next part of the journey.

In the name of God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit … Amen

Psalm 42

Longing for God

For the choir director. A Maskil of the sons of Korah.

¹ As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so I long for you, God.
² I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I come and appear before God?
³ My tears have been my food day and night,
while all day long people say to me,
“Where is your God?”
⁴ I remember this as I pour out my heart:
how I walked with many,
leading the festive procession to the house of God,
with joyful and thankful shouts.

⁵ Why, my soul, are you so dejected?
Why are you in such turmoil?
Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him,
my Savior and my God.
⁶ I^[a] am deeply depressed;
therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan
and the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
⁷ Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your billows have swept over me.
⁸ The Lord will send his faithful love by day;
his song will be with me in the night—
a prayer to the God of my life.

⁹ I will say to God, my rock,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about in sorrow
because of the enemy’s oppression?”
¹⁰ My adversaries taunt me,
as if crushing my bones,
while all day long they say to me,
“Where is your God?”
¹¹ Why, my soul, are you so dejected?
Why are you in such turmoil?
Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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