Slideshow image

“I do believe, help my unbelief!”

~ Mark 9:24

 

My sister, are you ever tempted to doubt God? Of course you are! Jesus’ own disciples had doubts! I’ve had times of doubting, we all have. We may be surprised at our own lack of trust, but Abba sees it coming all the way from eternity and is not surprised.

I’ve recently passed through a time of doubting; not like doubting God’s existence or His hand in my life, but doubting my role in sharing the Gospel with others, especially those closest to me.

As Believers, we know that it’s not pleasing to God to doubt and when we do, we immediately hear the voice of condemnation. This voice is not that of our Abba. Condemnation comes from the accuser, our enemy. Let’s think about how Jesus handled doubters.

In Matthew 14, the disciples see Jesus walking toward them. Nothing unusual there except that they were in the middle of a storm in the middle of a lake and Jesus was walking on the water! They were frightened and even doubted they were seeing their beloved Master! Peter, the most daring one, called out to Jesus to command him to get out of the boat and walk toward Him. So Jesus did! Peter took a few steps, but began to doubt as he saw the waves around him and began to sink. He cried out, “Lord, save me!” 

Do you think Jesus was offended by his doubt and ignored Peter? NO! The scriptures record that IMMEDIATELY Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him! The accuser would have let him drown.

What about the father and the demon possessed son? (Mark 9) The man could not find any help for his son and, in his desperation, sought help from Jesus' disciples. The disciples couldn’t help either, could it be that they were looking at the challenge with the same eyes of flesh that caused Peter to sink? 

Expressing doubt, the man asked Jesus to help his son, "if He can”. Jesus replied, “If I can! All things are possible to him who believes.”

Immediately the father repents, replying, “I believe, help my unbelief.” Jesus didn’t walk away in disgust at either His disciples’ or the man’s doubts, but instead liberated the boy from his afflicted state. He showed compassion, the accuser would have let the boy die.

Think about the disciple Thomas, the one we call doubting Thomas.(John 20) Did Jesus scorn him for his rash words of not believing until he put his finger in the wounds created by the nails, or his hand in Jesus’ side, torn open by the spear? Instead, when He next appeared, He invited Thomas to do just what he said. Then, He corrected Thomas, as a loving Father would do, and told him to stop doubting and believe. The accuser would have shamed him into avoiding ever meeting with Jesus after his rash words.

John the Baptist was family, Jesus’ own cousin! He prophesied the coming of the Messiah and even recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God while baptizing Him in the Jordan River. (Luke 3) Later, while in prison, in a moment of doubt, John sends two disciples to Jesus to ask Him if He is the One who is coming, or should they look for someone else? Jesus replies with encouragement and a blessing for His cousin, chasing away the devil’s dark doubt and despair.

Finally, the disciples are gathered together and Jesus is telling them the news of what is to come. (John 14) The disciples are doubting the world will change without Him in it, but Jesus comforts and encourages His beloved disciples. He promises them the Holy Spirit who will help them and be with them forever!

The disciples are gone now, but God’s Holy Spirit remains active in every Believer! Jesus promised that He would abide with us and will be in us forever! Hallelujah!

Sometimes we may still have doubts, but God is patient with us and keeps urging us to seek Him for help like Peter. Our loving Father knows just what we need and urges us to keep seeking Him for wisdom like the afflicted boy’s father. When we question as Thomas did, our God corrects us in our blunders, not shaming us for our foolishness. When we’re feeling anxious, afraid or even depressed, our God answers with compassion and encouragement!

Finally, Jesus promises that He will not leave you or me as orphans. He has given us the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, so that we never need doubt again! Do you believe that? Ask Him to help you in times of confusion or doubt. Ask him for wisdom when you are unsure of your direction. Ask Him for forgiveness as you repent for moments of unbelief. Learn to recognize His voice and let Him guide you into all the goodness He has planned for you!

God bless you my sister! Keep loving Jesus and moving forward!

With love, your sister, Celeste