Mark 9:24-"Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief." (NIV)

What an amazing encounter Jesus had with the father of a boy who was demon possessed. After Jesus' disciples were unable to drive out the evil spirit the boy’s father sees Jesus returning from the Mount of Transfiguration. Immediately the father goes to Jesus and describes what has been happening with his son. 

The father shares how when the boy is seized by the evil spirit he is thrown to the ground and starts foaming at the mount then gnashes his teeth. He then becomes very rigid. The father also stated the evil spirit will often times throw the boy into a fire or water to try and kill him. The father has watched his son go through this horrifying experience since he was a child. What a nightmare this boy and his father have gone through for all these years.

Finally, the father, who it says is a teacher, hears about Jesus and the miracles He has performed. So, he brings the boy to the disciples, and nothing happens. I can imagine the disappointment the father must have felt. The hope for change has been shattered by the boy’s condition still being the same. Then Jesus comes down from the mountain where He was transformed and met with Moses and Elijah. He sees the commotion and enters into the conflict. Jesus is drawn into the conversation because of His compassion for the father and his son.

I know a little bit about what this father was experiencing. When my youngest daughter was ten months old, she had her first seizure. When she was fourteen months old, she had a seizure that lasted over three hours. The doctor said they had given her a lot of anti-seizure medication, and they could not get it to stop. Finally, after three hours the doctors were able to get the seizures to stop and placed her in NICU. It seemed like it was a hopeless situation unless Jesus stepped in to do something. After several years, a lot of prayer, wonderful doctor's and the grace of Jesus Christ, my daughter was healed and set free from the seizures.

I can understand the father's conversation with Jesus. Mark 9:22b, "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." The feeling of hopelessness in the father's comment is real, vulnerable and honest. "If you can" is a response that did not turn Jesus away from the situation. Did the father have faith? I think he did, but it also seemed like he had some doubts as well. The comment seemed to say, “I think you can, but will you?” I love Jesus' response in verse 23, "If I can? Everything is possible for him who believes." Believe! Did the father believe? I feel if he didn’t, he would not have sought Jesus out for help.

The father did believe but still had doubts about his belief being enough to see his boy healed and delivered. The father's response is one of my favorite responses in scripture because I feel it is real and honest. The boy's father said in verse 24b, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief." Yes, He believed in Jesus and the power that Jesus had over evil spirits and the difficulties of life. But he still wasn't sure it would happen for him and his son. The father cried out to Jesus to help him overcome his unbelief.

Jesus desired to deliver the boy from demon possession. He longed to show the father his faith, even as small as a mustard seed would accomplish the miracle he was seeking. It really wasn't about how much faith the father had in Jesus, it was about him realizing that Jesus is the one he can put his faith in. Jesus welcomes our honesty, vulnerability and questions. He longs to show us that faith in Him will always accomplish His purposes.

So, today, who are you trusting and believing for your miracle? Who are you running to when life is difficult and things seem hopeless? Be like the father in this story. Come to Jesus and ask him to help you overcome the unbelief you are experiencing so you can trust and believe in Him.

Prayer-Dear Lord, I know you are the only one I can put my trust and belief in during the challenging times in my life. I believe you can do all things. Help me overcome my unbelief that you will do it for me. I want to know you and live for you all the days of my life. I love you Jesus. Amen!