“If you can?” Said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” – (Mark 9:23, NIV)
Jesus said to the father, “Why did you say ‘if you can’? All things are possible for the one who believes. – (Mark 9:23, ERV)
What do you mean, “If there’s anything? All things are possible, if you only believe.” – (Mark 9:23, VOICE)
This verse is a critical portion of a conversation between Jesus and the father of a young man who needed healing. The father was desperate to see his son healed, yet struggled to believe it was possible after so many years of suffering. Jesus recognized the father’s need for faith, as well as the need for healing for his son. His declaration that “all things are possible for those who believe”, greatly encouraged the father, and he asked Jesus to help him with his unbelief. In the verses that follow, Jesus heals the young man and increases the faith of the father. Jesus knows our need before we ever seek Him, yet requires that we have faith in Him to see Him move on our behalf. Where we lack faith in the midst of our need, we are charged, just as the young man’s father, to ask Jesus to help us with our unbelief. Our broken humanity struggles to believe that which we cannot see, however, that is the very nature of how faith works. Faith requires that we trust in that which we cannot see, and believe for that which is yet to come. May we ever seek the Lord to step into our spaces of need, and ask Him for help to grow our faith in the places where unbelief has found a foothold.
God, the Creator, 
Is able to do;
All that is needed,
For me and for you.
Faith is required,
To trust and believe;
Those who ask in lack,
Will by grace, receive.
Strength when we’re weary,
Healing where there’s pain;
Faith to move mountains,
To trust is to gain.
Ever let’s seek Him,
The Lord of all grace;
Trust in His goodness,
Faithful all our days.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the examples of real people, just like us in Your word, who sought You and learned from You, as You showed them the goodness of Your love and grace. Thank You that You are ever faithful to hear us in our need, and grant us what is needed most. Forgive us for our faltering faith, as we struggle to believe that which we cannot see before us. Show us how to trust You more, as You are ever moving on our behalf, even when we are unaware of how You are moving. Teach us to love those around us in a way that encourages faith and demonstrates the goodness of Your grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You always, and ask You to grow our faith in spaces where it is lacking. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
For we live by faith, not by sight. – (2 Corinthians 5:7, NIV)
Revelations In Writing 