Articles
Help My Unbelief
Lord, I Believe… Help My Unbelief!
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mk. 9:24
When we are struggling with doubts and fears; when we feel spiritually low and dark and dull; when we are beset with temptations that cause us to waver, to stumble - or even to fall – there in the middle of the storm is the greatest opportunity of faith. What can we do? We can will to believe, pray for help, and do our duty.
Will to believe. The most elemental faith is the will to believe. Remember that faith is a response of the will. It is surrender to the conviction that God is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently SEEK Him (Heb. 11:1, 6 ASV). Sometimes the best we can do when our faith is weak or shaken is simply to earnestly desire to do better. “If any man wills to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be from God.” Faith is a process of growth, not a light switch. It will be up and down, and we will have our setbacks. But do we will to do better?
Pray to God for help. Humbly throw yourself on His mercy and ask “help my unbelief”. Prayer itself is the hallmark of faith. It is our “thinking toward God”, communicating with the One we are trusting in! Pray fervently and devotedly. He will not fail to hear. He is no unrighteous judge who needs to be badgered and hounded to help. He sees every sparrow that falls to the ground, and He is much more interested in your soul than that!
Do your duty. One time, when Jesus told them about the requirement of forgiving their brother repeatedly, his apostles said, “Lord, increase our faith” (Lk. 17:9). They understood what he taught, but they thought it was a bit extreme. Jesus followed their request with a parable that said, “Do your duty”, and when you have done it, say “We are unprofitable servants.” It is as if Jesus had said to them, you don’t need your faith increased to forgive your brother. You need to walk and act like men of faith should. Don’t be dramatic about it. It’s your duty. You just need to DO it. Don’t expect the “Medal of Honor”, or special recognition for doing your basic duty.
When faith is weakest, faith can be victorious! “If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could move mountains.” Jesus was not talking about the power to transport rocks and dirt. He was talking about the unimaginable power of the beginning steps of faith. Recognized by God, multiplied by his providence, aided by his power to do exceedingly above all that we ask or think, those little steps of a weak faith will transform the heart of men and women - and will cause the kingdom of Satan to shake! Look around you and see it in the lives of people in our congregation. Thank God for it, and go and tell them you thank God for it. Larry Walker, December 2009