Read: Mark 9:14-29
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (v. 24)
Very young children believe their parents can fix anything. Mommy’s kisses can make an “owie” feel better. Daddy can scare away the monsters in the room. Just being in a parent’s presence can help a child feel safe, protected and secure.
But for the boy in today’s passage, there was no protection because he was being tormented by a literal monster. His desperate father couldn’t deliver his son from the demon who sought “to destroy him” (v. 22). There was the constant physical challenge of watching over the boy when he convulsed, keeping him from both fire and water. But the main problem was a spiritual issue against which he was powerless. The father had spent years in this impossible situation, and he was barely hanging on to what little faith he had. But he was hanging on—he did believe! Jesus was the only one who could help his son. And Jesus was close! He encouraged this man’s faith; he delivered the boy by rebuking the demon—“come out of him and never enter him again!” (v. 25).
In the New Testament, we see that Jesus the Messiah is the Son of the Most High God who is close to the brokenhearted. That day he scared the monsters away! That day a desperate father learned that “all things are possible for one who believes” (v. 23). Some things are beyond our power to fix. But our Savior has all power and nothing is beyond him.
As you pray, praise the Savior who has all power, and who is so close to the brokenhearted.
Laura N. Sweet is a wife, mother, grandmother, and former Christian school teacher from Midland, Michigan. She writes devotional material for both adults and children, and her work has appeared in more than a dozen publications.
