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

We've got so much unbelief! This is our great sin - that we do not believe the great God. It insults him, grieves him, and hinders us.

Unbelief is why we don't see more of God's power. Matthew 13:58, "And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief." Mark 6:5-6, "And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief." Unbelief stops conversions, blocks revival, and limits the church. Unbelief must be confessed and dealt with.

DO NOT think God's unable or unwilling! Do not think the times are too tough, or the people are too deceived. Think only of Jesus, and what he can do. Think of his power. Believe that he uses faith!

First, "cry out." "Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears." Come to Jesus. Talk to him. Get to him by prayer. Cry out in the agony of need. Look to Christ, not your wisdom. Believe that he will hear you and help.

Don't play the blame game, merely shaking your head. Don't give up hope. Don't turn to the politicians or to the disciples. Bring it to Jesus. Mark 9:19, "And he answered them, O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." Get desperate. Recognize the perilous condition of your children. Look at your perishing neighbor. Cry out because church members are lost, and the gospel is not spread.

If we have no reason to cry out, we're simply blind. Needs are everywhere.

Secondly, "believe." "Lord, I believe." Do not doubt. God works through faith. The helpless trust him. The needy obtain mercy. The victory is won by everyone who believes! Romans 10:13, "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Do not doubt because of sin: Yours has been punished. You have access to God. Don't doubt, because you can't talk to your family: God hears prayer. Don't doubt, because your nation is deceived: God brings revival. Don't doubt, because you're weak: God gives strength. Isaiah 40:29, "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength." Don't doubt, because it seems impossible: He'll give us full throttled obedience. Don't doubt, because you seem insignificant: God is with you! Judges 6:12, "And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor."

Thirdly, confess your unbelief. "Help my unbelief!" Deal honestly with God. Come to him for help, confessing your sin. Be ashamed, but admit it. He loves to hear honest brokenness that looks to him for help.

Do not say EMPTY WORDS, marveling in pretty speech. Pour out your doubts and fears. Tell him how small you are, how wayward, and how distrusting. Only confess, and he will help you. Jeremiah 3:13, "Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the LORD your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the LORD." Confession says, "This is wrong, and I want to be rid of it."

Confessing unbelief is how he heals us. We tell him how wrong it is, and then we trust him more thereby. Oh, the wisdom of God to improve the sinner. Oh, his kindness and patience! The believing unbeliever will see things happen. For his own glory, God will not despise faith. Mark 9:25, "And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." No one will believe, no matter the attached unbelief, and ever be put to shame.

This is an encouraging text. We don't need perfect assurance. Just faith, and we'll see God faithful - Just a little believing that he's THAT GOOD.

Believe the promises and wrestle with him. Pick up a biography, and go do likewise. Don't let unbelief hinder you!