Anchoring Scripture
“Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’” — Mark 9:23
Devotional
By the time we reach our 30s, 40s, and 50s, we’ve seen some things. We’ve seen dreams realized, but we’ve also seen “bad reports”—medical diagnoses, financial setbacks, or family strife. The danger of maturity is that it can mask skepticism. We start to pray, “if it be Thy will,” not out of submission. Instead, we pray out of a fear that God won’t actually show up.
In Mark 9, a father brought his suffering son to Jesus. He said, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us.” Jesus quickly put the ball back in the father’s court. It wasn’t a matter of what Jesus could do. It was about what the father would believe.
Unbelief is a thief. It stopped a whole generation of Israelites from entering the Promised Land. Their doubt was too strong, not because the giants were too big. They “limited the Holy One of Israel” (Psalm 78:41) by forgetting His past miracles.
How do we overcome this as adults with “real-world” responsibilities?
- Stop Feeding the Doubt: We are bombarded by media and skeptical voices. If you spend more time watching the news, your unbelief will grow. Scrolling through social media more than engaging in the Word will also lead to increased unbelief. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
- Meditate Day and Night: Biblical meditation isn’t emptying your mind; it’s filling it. It involves “mentally digesting” a promise. Consider God’s promise of provision or peace. This promise should become more real to you than your bank statement.
- The Honest Cry: If you find your heart hardened by the “familiarity” of religion, evaluate your feelings. If life’s scars have also affected you, pray the most honest prayer in Scripture. Say: “Lord, I believe.” Ask for assistance with your unbelief.
God’s promises of healing, restoration, and guidance are “Yes” and “Amen” in Christ. Don’t let a “bad report” from the world keep you from the “good report” of the Kingdom.
Short Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Forgive me for the times I have let the cares of this life affect me. Forgive me for when the skepticism of this world hardens my heart. I choose today to take You at Your Word. I lay down my doubts, and I pick up Your promises. Increase my capacity to believe You for the impossible in my family, my health, and my work. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Verses for Overcoming Unbelief
New King James Version (NKJV)
- 2 Corinthians 1:20: “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”
- Mark 11:22: “Have faith in God.”
- Mark 9:23: “Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’”
- Mark 9:24: “Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’”
- Romans 10:17: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
- Hebrews 11:6: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is…”
- Matthew 9:29: “According to your faith let it be to you.”
- Matthew 8:13: “As you have believed, so let it be done for you.”
- Matthew 15:28: “Great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.”
- Mark 10:52: “Go your way; your faith has made you well.”
- Romans 4:17: God “calls those things which do not exist as though they did.”
- Psalm 78:41: “Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.”
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