| Believing...Mark 9:17-27 By Timothy W. Burnett Believing God's rightly divided word is the key to unlocking those doors that have been keeping us from tapping into a victoriously more-than-abundant life from God in heaven. In Mark 9:14-27 we find more scripture for us to learn from on the subject of believing to receive from God. A man brought his son to Jesus' disciples to be healed, and they could not heal him. He then brought his son to Jesus for the same reason. "And one of the multitude answered and said, 'Master, I have brought unto thee my son which hath a dumb spirit.'" The man knew where to bring his son. He understood Jesus Christ's authority. In verse 18 he described to Jesus the symptoms of the problem. He then informed him that he had already brought his son to Jesus' disciples andthat they could not heal his son. Later in verse 22 Jesus asked the man how long it had been since this came upon his son. You know, when somebody comes to a minister or an elder in the Church with a need for healing or ministering, there will usually be a need to get more information. One exception is when the ministering and healing involves reelation from God. During the man's explanation, he revealed his heart with the following words in verse 22, "...but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us and help us." The use of "if" is often an indication of doubt. He had already blamed the disciples for not being able to heal his son. Now he's coming to the son of God and saying "if" you can do anything. Jesus Christ then turned the tables back to the man with the following words, "...'If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.'" It is each individual's responsibility to believe to receive anything from God. The man expected Jesus' disciples to believe for his son's healing. Yet the reason they could not heal his son was becauseof his own unbelief. Jesus caught this right away. Finally the man cried out with tears, "...Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief." Jesus Christ would have taught the man to the end that he was built up and strengthened toward believing without doubt for his son to receive healing. Every one of us have needs for better health, or improved financial conditions, or any number of other important things. In the name of Jesus Christ, let's not be ashamed to cry out to God with tears, "I believe that you are able, help me with the doubt and fear in my heart!" |