Help My Unbelief

Date: February 1, 2023

I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional. 

B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study and savor
S - Summarize and Share

You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?

Bible Scripture Verse – Mark 9:24

"Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.”

Listen for God’s Voice

Heavenly Father, help me to believe in your power and to have faith in you. I recognize that sometimes my beliefs are tested, and I struggle with doubt.

But I trust that you are always with me and working for my good. Give me the courage to ask for your help, just as the father in this scripture did. I pray that you would give me the strength to overcome my unbelief and to trust in you completely.

Thank you for being a faithful and loving God. Help me to walk in your ways and to live out my faith in practical ways each day. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Explore History – Who wrote it, when and to what audience? Key people in the story?

The author of this scripture is Mark, but Mark was not one of the 12 disciples of Jesus. He was a companion to Peter and wrote it based on Peter’s teachings and recollections of Jesus’ life and ministry. Although he wasn’t one of the original twelve disciples, his gospel provides an important witness to the life and teachings of Jesus and has been a great inspiration and guidance for millions of Christians throughout history. The book of Mark was written around 65-70 AD and was addressed to the early Christian communities in Rome. 

This passage is about a father who brings his son to Jesus for healing. The father's request for help with his unbelief shows that faith is not a static quality but a journey that involves growth and transformation. It encourages readers to recognize their own doubts and to seek help in overcoming them, so that they can grow in their faith and trust in Jesus.

Study and Savor – Key Words

"I do believe": This phrase expresses a mixture of faith and doubt. The father of the boy recognizes that Jesus has the power to heal his son, but he also struggles with some level of doubt or uncertainty.

"Help me overcome my unbelief": This phrase highlights the father's request for Jesus' assistance in strengthening his faith. He recognizes that he needs help to believe more fully in Jesus and his power to heal.

"Immediately": This word emphasizes the urgency of the situation and the father's faith. Despite his doubts, he recognizes the need to act quickly and seeks Jesus' help immediately.

Summarize and Share

This passage can be a great source of encouragement and comfort for those who struggle with doubt in their faith. Just like the father of the boy in this passage, we all have moments of uncertainty and may find ourselves asking, "Do I really believe?"

The father's willingness to ask for help with his unbelief shows us that it's okay to acknowledge our doubts and to seek the Lord's assistance in overcoming them. By asking for help, we demonstrate a willingness to grow in our faith and to trust more fully in the Lord.

I truly think this passage can help someone with their prayer life. When we are faced with doubts or struggles, we can pray in a similar way to the father in this passage, asking God to "help us overcome our unbelief." This can be a powerful way to seek God's assistance in strengthening our faith and to grow in our relationship with him.

How can we put this scripture into action in increasing our faith?

Pray: Take this passage to heart and pray, asking God to help you overcome your unbelief. Make this a regular part of your prayer life, seeking his guidance and support as you grow in faith.

Seek support: Don't be afraid to reach out to others for help. Find someone you trust, such as a friend, mentor, or spiritual leader, and talk to them about your doubts. Seek their guidance and support in overcoming your unbelief.

Read and reflect: Spend time reading and reflecting on this passage and other passages that deal with faith and doubt. This can help you gain new perspectives and insights, and can strengthen your faith.

Take action: Put your faith into action by serving others, participating in your local church community, or engaging in other acts of service. By putting your faith into action, you can gain confidence in your beliefs and grow in your relationship with God.

Remember that growing in faith is a lifelong journey, and that it's okay to struggle with doubt at times. But if you follow the words in this scripture, you can deepen your relationship with God and gain the strength and courage to overcome your unbelief.

Bible Cross Reference

Matthew 17:20 - "He replied, 'Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'" Just like the father in Mark 9:24, we may struggle with doubts at times, but Jesus encourages us to have faith, even if it's as small as a mustard seed. By putting our faith into action, we can see the power of God at work in our lives.

James 1:6-8 - "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." This verse shows us the dangers of doubting and encourages us to have faith without wavering. By having a steadfast faith, we can receive the blessings and guidance that God has in store for us.

Both Mark 2:24 and James 1:6-8 recognize that faith is important and that doubting can prevent us from experiencing the fullness of God's blessings and guidance. While Mark 9:24 encourages us to have faith, James 1:6-8 cautions us against doubting. Both passages work together to help us understand the importance of faith and the dangers of doubt.

Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." This Scripture defines faith as a confident hope in what we cannot see. Just like the father in Mark 9:24, we may struggle with doubts, but by having faith, we can be assured that God is at work in our lives, even when we cannot see it.

John 20:29 - "Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" This scripture talks about the importance of belief, even when we cannot see physical evidence of God's presence in our lives. By having faith, we can experience the blessings of God's love and guidance, just like the father in Mark 9:24.