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A Closer Walk

We may struggle from time to time with unbelief. This is different from doubt, which likely most or all of us have on occasion. The father of a boy experiencing convulsions had unbelief. But he may not have recognized that, until he had a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.

"And they brought the boy to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling about and foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father, 'How long has this been happening to him?' And he said, 'From childhood. And it has often thrown him into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us!' And Jesus said to him, 'If you can! All things are possible to him who believes.' Immediately the boy's father cried out and began saying, 'I do believe; help my unbelief'," Mark 9:20-24 NASB.

I do believe, help my unbelief, the father cried out. Did the father know he was harboring unbelief? Likely not until after Jesus revealed it to him. What we do know is that the father had just enough belief (or faith) to bring his boy to Jesus. But, the father's statement to Jesus, "If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us," reveals a heart with at least some portion of unbelief. If you can? Jesus tells the father clearly and plainly that, all things are possible to him who believes. The belief, or faith, may be the groundwork for whatever the Lord Jesus desires to do with us, or for us.

We may act in the same way as the father sometimes. We may go to the Throne of Grace asking, "If you can...?" In asking that do we forget Who we are addressing? Or are we wondering about His willingness? The father seemed to not know for certain that Jesus could do this. Do we as God's children know, with any degree of certainty, what our Lord and Savior can do?

We today, have some advantages this father did not have. We have a complete New Testament and two thousand years of church experience in understanding Jesus and the things He taught, as well as the things we have been taught about Him. We also have His own words. "...All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth," Matthew 28:18 NASB. Jesus has been given all authority. ALL authority. So, what authority is He lacking? NONE. Where does He have this authority? In heaven. And on earth. The Lord Jesus Christ has all authority, in heaven, and on earth.

If we fully grasp this, then we can say, like the boy's father, "I do believe. Please help my unbelief".

All hail the power of Jesus name, let angels prostrate fall. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all!

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