Can You Believe?

In Mark 9, we read about the account of a man who came to Jesus because his son was possessed. He had already taken the boy to the disciples but they couldn't cast the demon out. Jesus response to the man is something we should all address: "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." {Mark 9:23}. Can you believe?

You will never find Jesus wavering in His faith in God. That may sound like a strange statement but we have to remember that Jesus came into this world fully man. His life was a demonstration of a life empowered by the Spirit of God. It was the faith of Jesus in the grace of God (God's ability) and the Holy Spirit that allowed him to function in things that seem contrary to modern Christianity. So the question in the healing and miracles that we see in the life of Jesus wasn't whether or not He could perform these things. The question is, can you believe?

This father's response is a classic. "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" This man had the faith but he also knew his frailty. Although he was operating in faith when he brought the boy to the disciples, you have to wonder if his faith wasn't shaken when they could not cast the demon out. But now he stood in the presence of Jesus. He had heard the stories, maybe even witnessed some of the miracles. He wanted to see his boy delivered. All that was left was throwing all of his trust upon Jesus. Can you believe?

The God we serve today is the same, He never changes. The Bible says of Jesus that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Therefore, He hasn't changed either. God will never flinch in our adversity. He is never caught by surprise with the things that we face. All that God waits for is to see His children come and ask for the mercy and grace they need. Can you believe?

I see a faith stirring among God's people that is refreshing. I see a longing for greater things. I truly believe that many have grown tired of putting all of their hope in the medical system. They know God can heal. They have discovered that they cannot fully provide for themselves. They know God can provide. The peace they are looking for in life seems to be allusive. But they know God is peace. They know, but can they believe? Can you believe?

We must approach God in the same way that Jesus did - with a full confidence in His ability, and willingness to act upon the lives of those who believe. Ask yourself if there are areas where you have failed to believe God. Discover what Scriptures say about these circumstances. I promise that you will never find a place where God says that He will not work on behalf of a people who have thrust themselves upon His mercy and grace. Jesus never said that God might or possibly would respond to our prayers. He simply told us to ask, seek, and knock. If we would take this approach then God would give, allow us to find, and open the doors that need to be opened. Can we believe?

May God stir your heart today to trust in Him without reservation. God still cares for His flock like a Good Shepherd. He still watches over His children like a good Father. He is still an awesome Provider in our lives. We can never exhaust His mercy (it endures forever) and we can never go beyond His grace. He is still All-Powerful, All-Knowing, and Almighty God. His reign will never end. That is a God you can trust in. Can you believe?