Jehovah-Rapha: The God Who HealsParaugs

Title: Help Me Not to Doubt!

Devotional Content:

The man stood on the fringe of the crowd, listening as the disciples and religious leaders argued over his son. He knew about the healing miracles Jesus and His disciples had performed. He brought his son today because he thought they could help him too. Since he was little, the boy was possessed by an evil spirit that rendered him deaf and mute. The spirit threw him into violent convulsions making him foam at the mouth and grind his teeth. The father came with hope, but now he wondered if all he had heard were just exaggerated stories.

As Jesus approached the crowd, the man explained, “I asked your disciples to heal my son, but they couldn’t do it.” Seeing Jesus, the evil spirit threw the boy into more convulsions. “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can!” cried the father. When Jesus challenged the man’s faith, he instantly replied, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” Immediately, Jesus cast out the spirit and the boy was healed. 

When the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t heal the boy, He explained, “This kind can only be cast out by prayer.” In Matthew’s account, He told them they didn’t have enough faith. Their failure was likely due to their own unbelief, not the father’s doubt. Jesus was teaching them that prayer and faith are interrelated. The act of praying unlocks faith. Faith is sustained only through daily renewal and communicating with God. Jesus modeled this often when He went up on the mountainside to pray.

Jesus didn’t condemn this man for doubting. The man knew that faith wasn’t something he could conjure up on his own, but he could ask Jesus for more. Like the example of this father, Jesus knows how desperately you want to believe. Belief is not the result of a convincing intellectual argument, but an act of your will. It is choosing everyday to activate your faith through prayer, ignoring your doubts, and expecting Him to answer. The power of God plus a mustard seed of faith can move your mountain. 

Lord, I have read about Your healing miracles when You walked this earth. I have heard amazing stories about Your healing power today. You know my doubts and fears and how desperately I want to believe. Lord, I want more faith! I want to believe my miracle is possible. Please help me not to doubt!