Read: Mark 9:17-24 Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief (Mark 9:24).
When Faith Is Difficult
We saw yesterday that effective faith appears to be almost automatic with many seekers after Christian holiness. But there are others who must take this step by sheer determination and in the face of powerful spiritual opposition.
There are no easy victories in the spiritual life. Especially does the devil hate to see God’s children sanctified wholly. In general, where consecration has occasioned a severe struggle, once the place of surrender is reached, the step of faith seems to be taken easily. On the other hand, if consecration has not been a serious problem, the exercise of faith may present a real challenge. It is only the mercy of God, which will not allow us to be tested beyond what we are able to bear, that keeps the enemy from giving maximum opposition to our progress at every point.
Our scripture for today reminds us that God is deeply concerned with every experience which concerns us deeply. Jesus was concerned to help a father with a demon-possessed child. God will not fail us when our need is for a clean heart.
How wonderful our Heavenly Father is! He saves us from our sins. He reveals to us the way of holiness in the Scriptures. He sends the Holy Spirit to convict us of our need. He draws us on by making our hearts hungry for the grace of full salvation. And then, when we falter in the small thing that we ourselves must do — in the act of faith — He even helps us to believe. All the way along He helps us. So,
[I’ll] keep on believing; Jesus is near. [I’ll] keep on believing; there’s nothing to fear. [I’ll] keep on believing; this is the way; Faith in the nighttime as well as the day.
— C. S. Bullock