Key Scriptures: Mark 9:14-27
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.
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Lesson One: God is big enough to handle your unbelief.
• The Lord wants you to trust Him with your doubts, questions, and unbelief
• When we hold tight to our shred of belief and hand over the weight of our unbelief, incredible things will happen
Psalm 130:5-8, I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.
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Lesson Two: The failure of the disciples of Christ is not a failure of Christ himself.
• The people who represent Christ make mistakes and cause harm in his name. These are not the actions of God himself, but of man. God is on the side of those who are hurt, not on the side of those doing the hurting
Romans 3:3-4a, True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true.
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Lesson Three: Mighty storms cause strong roots
• Science has proven that strong storms cause trees to drive their roots deeper into the ground, strengthening their foundation. The Lord uses hardship to form us the same way
Job 14:7-9, At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant.
Zechariah 13:9, This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”
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Lesson Four: Christ is with you
Deuteronomy 31:8, The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
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Practical Advice
Pray
If you are suffering and racked with unbelief, pray the prayer of that troubled father over and over: “I believe, help me overcome my unbelief.”
Trust
Trust that God is big enough to handle your pain and any questions and doubts you have. Trust him with your pile of unbelief; open your hands and let him take it.
Hold
As Christ holds on to you, do not let go of him. Healing and change are coming. As you grip the handhold of unshakable hope, your grip will grow stronger, and the hold will get easier.