Help Me Overcome My Unbelief! – September 20, 2024

When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “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.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” 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.” The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
Mark 9:14-27

Help Me Overcome My Unbelief!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In 1918, Robert Ripley premiered his newspaper panel that shared strange events and artifacts so unusual that readers might find the claims unbelievable. The newspaper panel, which he called Believe It or Not, was eventually adapted for use in books, radio, television, and even a chain of museums. You may have toured one when you were on vacation with your family and discussed whether what you saw there was real. Do you believe it or not?

Some things are hard to believe—even things about God. We see that in our reading from the Word of God for today. There was a man who had a son who was possessed by an evil spirit. This evil spirit made it so the man’s son could not talk and often threw him onto the ground with a seizure. Jesus’ disciples had been trying to drive out the spirit, but they couldn’t. It seemed like most people did not believe healing the man’s son was possible—maybe even the man himself.

You can understand why. The man told Jesus this had been happening his son’s whole life, and his son had often been in danger. The devil had used these attacks to hurt this family more than physically. He wanted them to stop trusting their God. You can see that in the man’s pleading conversation with Jesus. “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief” (Mark 6:22-24)!

Jesus did a great miracle that day. He set that man’s son free from the evil spirit. Jesus’ miracle showed that he had God’s power. It also gave a glimpse of what Jesus had come into this world as Savior to do: overcome the devil. Jesus would do that once and for all by his cross and empty tomb. The devil is defeated. The war is won. The victory is ours.

As we continue to fight our spiritual battles on this side of heaven, Jesus assures us that “everything is possible for the one who believes.” So, we exclaim, with the father, “Help me overcome my unbelief!” And Jesus does. Through his Word and sacraments, he increases our faith in him and gives us eternal victory. Believe it!

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, sometimes what is happening in our lives makes us doubt that you are there, that you care about us, and that you have won the victory for us. In those moments overcome our unbelief and increase our faith with your tremendous promises. Remind us that everything is possible with you. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Imagine you were the boy in this Bible story. How would you feel if you could not talk?
• How would your family feel if you were being hurt like that boy was?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• How did the devil really want to hurt the family in God’s Word today?
• Why would that be even worse than the boy not being able to speak and having seizures?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Talk about a time that you doubted God’s love or care.
• How do we overcome our doubts? Where do we go?