I Do Believe!

Over the past few weeks and months, I've been listening to a couple of songs over and over again.  I've been listening to Jon Reddick's song, "I Believe It."  The chorus states, "I believe in the life of Jesus.  I believe that He conquered death.  I believe in the resurrection.  I believe He's coming back again.  I believe that His Spirit's with us.  I believe that He gives us power.  I believe that He is the son of God.  I believe it; I believe it; I believe it!"  It is a powerful song.  Another one I've been listening to is the song, "Believe You Will," by Jeremy Rosado.  The chorus of that song states, "You will turn this into something good, show up right on time for me, do everything You said You would, I believe, I believe, I believe You will.  You will turn my sorrow into joy, calm the storm with just Your voice, do everything You said You would, I believe, I believe, I believe You will!

As I have been listening to and singing these songs, I cannot help but go to that passage of Scripture in Mark 9.  A man brought his son to Jesus; his son was possessed by a spirit and was suffering seizures and could not talk.  The man had asked the disciples to drive out the spirit, but they were unsuccessful.  The man turned to Jesus.  Mark 9:21-29... 21 Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"  "From childhood," he answered.  22 "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him.  But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."  23 "'If you can'?" said Jesus.  "Everything is possible for one who believes."  24 Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I DO BELIEVE; HELP ME OVERCOME MY UNBELIEF!"  25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit.  "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."  26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out.  The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead."  27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.  28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"  29 He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."

I don't know about you, but I am a lot like that father many, many times.  I DO BELIEVE!  However, I desperately need the Lord to "HELP ME OVERCOME MY UNBELIEF!"  The father went to the right place and he found the right One to help...both him and his son.  Notice what the father said at the end of verse 22: "But if you can do anything, take pity on US and help US."  I struggle with this...daily.  I struggle in this journey of faith and belief.  I am desperate for the Lord to help me!!!  I struggle like this father; many times I am praying to the Lord, "If you can."  I love what Dr. David Jeremiah says in his commentary: "Even though the father of the afflicted boy did not have great faith, Jesus did not refuse to help.  Still, Jesus did not heal the boy immediately either; instead He drew faith out of this anguished father."  That is what I want.  I want the Lord to keep on showing me His love, His power, His grace, and His mercy.  I want the Lord to keep on growing me in the faith He has given me; I want Him to draw it out more and more, as Dr. Jeremiah says.  

One of the ways I am growing in my faith is through the study of God's Word.  I am not only reading the Bible, but I am inviting God to read me; I am inviting God to show me who He is and show me who I am.  I am desperate for God's presence and God's Word in my life.  Songs like the ones I mentioned earlier remind me that I DO BELIEVE, but they also remind me that I need the Lord's help.  I need the Lord to HELP MY UNBELIEF...every day, every week, all the time!