TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“‘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 9:23-24
Read: Mark 9:22-25
Listen: Mark 9
TODAY’S MESSAGE
The father of the demon-possessed boy approaches Jesus with hopeful desperation. He wants Jesus to heal his son but isn’t confident about what Jesus can do. His son had been possessed by a demon and experienced convulsions since childhood (Mark 9:21). Nevertheless, Jesus counters the father’s plea with instructions on faith even in the face of adversity, “Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23).
Jesus’s instruction to this bewildered father reminds us to trust in the power and care of Jesus. This trust does not mean Jesus promises us health or wealth in this life. But it does mean that Jesus is everything he has promised to be and will do everything he has promised to do. We may have doubts, like the father in this story, but we can entrust them to God.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Journal or pray through a psalm that expresses one’s doubts or fears to God (such as Psalm 73). Tell God some of the fears, concerns or doubts you have today. Perhaps you regularly pray like this father in this story, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
July is SOLITUDE. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
