at the promise of God through unbelief;
but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.” Romans 4:20, KJV
Abraham, Father of the faithful, of both Jew and Gentile,
“grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God.”NRSV
And what an astonishing statement this is:
“I believe; help my unbelief!”
Under the staggering load of pain for his possessed child, bewildered by
disappointment in Jesus’ disciples’ inability to cast out this spirit’s cruel
work in his son, the father comes to Jesus, and in his desperation blurts
out his distressing confusion:
“…but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.”
Jesus picks up immediately on this father’s need to believe.
“If you are able?—All things can be done for the one who believes.”
Mark 9:14-29
Perhaps most of us waver somewhere between the unwavering faith of
Abraham and the deeply divided heart of the desperate father.Unable to
judge ourselves, each one’s mark would be unashamedly placed, pushing
more toward Abraham’s, on the judgement scale.
God’s judgement and mercy meet in the cross of Christ.
His mercy triumphs over judgement. James 2:13b
After the healing of his child, both father and son must have been staggered
by the proof of Jesus’ words. All were astounded at the greatness
of God.” Luke 9:43
When we’re unwilling to forgive,
have we known godly sorrow for our own sin?
Do we believe in our own forgiveness by God?
When we’re questioning the need for our own repentance,
have we even begun to grasp the enormity of the price of our sin?
Do we really believe in the wrath of God?
When we think, or dare to say, “NO! Not again!”
Have we forgotten God’s warning that our forgiveness from Him is
dependent on our forgiveness of those who sin against us?
More than once? Once again?
Too many times to count?
We’re weary of them?
Staggered by the price to our pride?
Have we forgotten?
Do we dare to answer James’ question,
“My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism
really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?” James 2:1
Who are they who live within us?
Who crowds us in our gardens of unrecognized and unloved weeds?
Can we dare to recognize ourselves in the attitudes and actions of others?
In those which offend us the most?
In those which move us to violent words?
In those which move us to silent violence?
In those which move us to violent action, or to no action at all,
when action is crucial?
Who are they who live within us?
They are those for whom Christ came:
to live, to suffer and to die, to live again, resurrected and glorified,
now waiting in longsuffering and patient love to come again,
to gather all of His children to Himself and to take us home with Him,
healed, made whole, and holy.
Not to the guest house, nor to the guest room,
but to our heavenly Father’s own house,
where there are many dwelling places,
fully prepared for us, His own family,
by our gracious and merciful Lord Jesus Christ.
I want to go home, don’t you?
Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!
Resurrection Cross Rose 