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There is an interesting episode recorded in the book of Mark of the Bible that speaks volumes about faith, and belief.

Sometimes those who truly want to believe in Jesus Christ find it too difficult to leave the desire and enter into genuine belief and faith.

Mark records an incident in the book of Mark that addresses the difficulties believing when someone is faced with a crisis in life. Jesus encounters a father desperate to do something for his child who is plagued with demonic affliction. Notice the dialogue:

"The demon has often thrown him both into fire and into water, intending to kill him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” Jesus said to him, “[You say to Me,] ‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes and trusts [in Me]!” Immediately the father of the boy cried out [with a desperate, piercing cry], saying, “I do believe; help [me overcome] my unbelief.”.... - Mark 9:20-29

Jesus healed the child, explaining that particular demon could be cast out only with prayer and fasting.

The father believed to a degree, but the amount of his belief was not yet enough to assure his son's healing.

And so it is with many...we believe, yes...but we do not have enough belief to lead us to do that which we know we should do. We are weak in faith. We graze around the fringes of strong belief, but are unable to go past the desire.

We begin by desiring to believe, but the ability and power isn't in us yet. The desire is enough at first, and Jesus accepts that degree to which we have progressed. Jesus asked the desperate father if he believed. Out of desperation, he said yes...then asked Jesus to help his unbelief.

He did.

Jesus showed him that some miracles must come only in prayer and even fasting. Has it seemed sometimes that your prayers of desperation are not being answered?

There are times when a prayer on our knees only will be answered if the request is God's will to be answered immediately. But if we are in an extreme and desperate circumstance, prayer AND fasting may be needed.

This event was wrought with desperation and an extreme urgency...one that could only be relieved by the prayer of the father. The father did not have time to pray and fast for any length of time His son was being tortured perhaps unto death. Jesus commended the demon to come out. Apparently it was so evil it torn and tortured the child in ways that are not revealed.

There are times when we feel we do believe God will answer immediately. Sometimes He doesn't. In all things and at all times, His timetable is best. Faith must take charge of our life.

Pray. And wait. Faith is verified and proven by patience.

"Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord." - Psalm 27:14

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

Renew a Right Spirit