Sometimes, I'm a cynic. Sometimes, I am jaded. Sometimes, those with happy faces and 'words of encouragement' really bug me. Sometimes, the reminders of all the happy things about faith, God or flippant accolades, in time of crisis, can really grate on my nerves. I'm a realist. And this stuff is getting real up in here. If a cup is either half full or half empty--I'm in the half empty crowd, thank you very much. You might say I'm not an easy-believer.
But, I have decided to follow Jesus. That decision comes with a real set of beliefs. Those beliefs are being tested, stretched and exercised in new ways. In the book of Mark (in the Bible), a father has a sick son who needs healed. The interchange between Jesus and the father goes like this:
"Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears,
“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
A poem was born from these words as I struggled to believe that the Lord could heal 'even a wretch like me'. I do believe, but Lord--help me in the deep dark places of unbelief. Help me in the crevices of anxiety and worry and fear and doubt. Help me when 'push comes to shove' (and I'm feeling a bit shoved right now) to believe the reality that You heal, provide, protect, defend and deliver. We struggle in these places. We are not alone. The saints of the Scriptures are good companions and neighbors in truly understanding. Help us, O Lord.
This has become my anthem. I believe, help thou my unbelief. Yes, I believe.
Help Thou My Unbelief
I believe
Help thou my unbelief
When the waves and the storm
Come crashing down
Help me to walk
On the waters, Lord
Reaching for
Your outstretched arms
Cause I believe
(Help thou my unbelief)
I believe
Yes, I believe
I believe
Help thou my unbelief
When the oil,
It runs dry
Help me to choose vessels
For Your plenty, Lord
Reaching for
Your Spirit’s outpouring
Cause I believe
(Help thou my unbelief)
I believe
Yes, I believe
I believe
Help thou my unbelief
When the ravens’ brook
Yields no more
Help me to pray
With thanksgiving, Lord
Reaching for
Your eternal Bread
Cause I believe
(Help thou my unbelief)
I believe
Yes, I believe
I believe
Help thou my unbelief
When the enemies
Take up arms
Help me to lap
At Your Living Water, Lord
Drinking from
Your victory’s store
Cause I believe
(Help Thou my unbelief)
I believe
Yes, I believe
I believe
(Help thou my unbelief)
When the demons
Wage out wars
Gnashing, foaming, tearing, pining—
Throwing me into the fire
Into the waters
Seeking to destroy
Help me to come
To Your Loving Power, Lord
Believing in
Your compassionate Help
Your merciful Strong Arm
Your Deliverance from what oppresses
Cause I believe
(Help thou my unbelief)
I believe
Yes, I believe.
CjZ
2016 June 16, noon
{Inspiration}
Peter Walking on the Water
Matthew 14:22-33
The Widow’s Oil
2 Kings 4:1-7
Elijah & the Ravens
1 Kings 17:1-7
The Lord Feeds the Ravens
Luke 12:23-25
Be Anxious For Nothing
Philippians 4:6-7
Gideon & the 300 Chosen Men
Judges 6-8
Judges 7:4-8
The Father, the son & Belief
Mark 9:14-29