4-25-2014

 Good Morning All,

       Mark 9:24; “Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

     I am very blessed to have two of the greatest daughters-in-law in the world.  They are a great joy to be around and they are a definite “add” to the gene pool.  So as I was perusing the Facebook postings, one of them had posted this:

Just read the saddest words ever. On an obituary for a teenage boy, his parents wrote this: "He did a lot of good things in his short life, went to such-and-such a church, but like most teens struggled with his faith. We hope he's in a better place now..."     Talk about heartbreaking.

That phrase “struggled with his faith” is a very painful phrase.  Maybe you have a child or a spouse or maybe even you “struggle with your faith.”  Welcome to the club.  I think that there are times in every person’s life when they struggle with faith some struggles are longer or deeper than others but struggle we do.  It might be an event or two in our life; it might be something we hear or see; it might just be the frustration of life rearing its ugly head, but there are times when we all struggle with our faith.

    I believe this because the Bible constantly refers to people who are weak in faith.  The father in our verse for one.  Peter for one, Thomas the doubter for one, the Apostle Paul for one, me for one and, maybe, you for one.  God knows that faith is going to be a challenge.  There will be so many things attacking it and there will be days when we waver; there will be days that we struggle with our faith.

    That is even why God gave us the Bible.  St. John wrote, “…these things are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” is probably a more accurate translation of this verse.  So we can continue to believe.  God gives us the Bible as the place where we go to remind us that are saved and that He does all the work.

    If I could talk to these parents, I would tell them it is not the size or strength of his faith but it is entirely by God’s grace that this young man will see heaven.  Do you believe that your sins are forgiven? (YES) That’s it; not how much, not how well we understand it, not how well we can explain it just do you believe (YES) is all we need.  We will struggle, sometimes mightily, but that is the beauty of God’s grace; it is made perfect in our weakness.  God's grace alone saves and it is always big enough.

Father of mercy, help our unbelief.  Guide us by your perfect Spirit to trust your Word.  Even when we struggle, draw us back to your Word of comfort and hope.  Still our fears and our doubts but when they come protect us with your grace and mercy.  Be with those who are especially struggling with their faith at this time.  Gently return them to your loving arms.  Use us as the instruments of mercy to bring this about.  In the precious name of Jesus, our risen Savior, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret