Hope in the Bible: Father of Sick Boy, Help My Unbelief
A man approached Jesus and his disciples, asking him to heal his son. The child had been possessed to the point he couldn’t speak and had seizures where he foamed at the mouth. {Mark 9:17}
Jesus was brought to the child and discovered he had been possessed since childhood. He’d even been thrown into the fire and almost drowned. Jesus tells the father, “ “Everything is possible for one who believes.” {Mark 9:23}
The father replies “ “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” {Mark 9:24}
Jesus rebukes the spirit who comes out of the boy. When the disciples ask why they couldn’t heal him, he answers ““This kind can come out only by prayer.” {Mark 9:29}
The father believed, but understood a part of him still doubted. He believed and had hope his son would be healed. He asked the Lord to help him wherever he did not believe, but he wanted to believe.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve believed, but a part of me still doubted. Like the father, I need to cry out “help me overcome my unbelief.” To overcome and persevere over it.
Is there a belief you need to pray for help to overcome unbelief?