To say the scene was tense would be an understatement.
Jesus' disciples were arguing with the teachers of the law, and a crowd had gathered to watch. In the center of the scene stood a demon-possessed boy and his father, a man broken by discouragement and hopelessness.
And maybe you understand . . . much better than you wish. You too have been on a most difficult journey. Yes, you started out strong, but as the days grew into weary weeks and then months, as your most fervent prayers seemed to bounce right back to you from the ceiling above, your faith began to wear thin. Now, broken by discouragement, you stand in the middle of the chaos desperate for deliverance but too tired to scrounge up even a teaspoonful of hope.
When Jesus approached the crowd, He spoke to the exhausted father:
"How long has this been happening to him?"
And the father said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible for the one who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:21-24)
And that is what Jesus did. He met the father right where he was on the continuum between belief and unbelief, and Jesus set his son free.
So if you are weary in your faith today, this is what I want you to remember about this story: admittedly, the father's faith wasn't spectacular, but Jesus still acted. Jesus didn't need anyone to have perfect faith; He healed the boy anyway.
Jesus doesn't need us to have perfect faith either. Simply offer God whatever faith you have today, no matter how small, frayed, battered, or worn.
Jesus doesn't condemn you or me for a faith that is weaker than we wish it were. He loves you, and He will act.
We don't need perfect faith when we have a perfect Savior.
"Truly I tell you, 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." Matthew 17:20
"Your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness." Psalm 26:3
"Be truly glad, There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." 1 Peter 1:6-7
"May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, He will surely do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
"Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault." Jude verse 24.
