An interesting conversation, involving Jesus, takes place in Mark chapter 9. I think most of us can relate to the father who is the other half of the discussion. The father speaks his heart when he says to Jesus, “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“But if you can do anything,” “If.” There’s the key word. “If You can do anything.” Help us, IF You can. That’s where many of us are right now. We’ve got something so big in our life, and all of the “experts” have told you nothing is going to happen, and you are saying, “God, if You can. You might be able to, but I’m not sure.” If.
Now, others of us are like, “No, man, I know God can. My ‘if’ is this. I know He can, but the question is, I wonder if He will.” He can, but why hasn’t He? “I think You might be able to, but I’m not sure. I’ve seen You do other things, but I don’t know if You’ll do it for me. If You can.”
Jesus replies to the father with a question. He says, almost sounding hurt, “If You can?” Don’t you believe I can?” He says, “Everything is possible for him who believes.”
Let that sink in. Everything is possible for him who believes. Everything is possible. So, right now, you’ve got this major deal. Your marriage is in big, big trouble. You don’t think it will ever work. Do you think it is possible that God in His love and sovereign power could actually heal your marriage and make it better than new? Absolutely He can. Your kid, that you love so much, is going the wrong way fast, and you’ve tried everything you can to bring the kid back, but they are making dangerous decisions, and you are thinking, “What’s going to happen? Can God bring them back? ” No doubt about it. Your doctors say this is what you have and it doesn’t look good. Could God heal you? Unquestionably. Your finances are in terrible shape and you don’t see any way out of the mess. You’ve been job hunting for months and nothing is panning out. Can God be the one who makes the difference? Without a doubt, if we really believe that everything is possible. It’s not all the answer but it is the starting point for the answer. Believing that everything is possible for those who believe.
Steve Thornton 