LORD I BELIEVE, HELP MY UNBELIEF!
Greetings church family!
Standing on the edge of the Promised Land, Israel was just one step away from receiving the inheritance God had promised them generations earlier. But in Numbers 13–14, that step became a stumbling block. What should have been a moment of triumphant faith turned into a tragedy of fear and rebellion.
God commanded Moses to send twelve men—one from each tribe—to spy out the land of Canaan. After forty days, the spies returned. All twelve agreed: the land was indeed “flowing with milk and honey” (Numbers 13:27). But ten of the spies couldn’t see past the obstacles. “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are,” they said (v. 31). They described giants, fortified cities, and their own insignificance: “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them” (v. 33).
Only Joshua and Caleb stood in faith. “If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land... Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid…” (Numbers 14:8–9). But the crowd chose fear over faith. They wept all night, complained, and even talked about choosing a new leader to take them back to Egypt.
How could a people who had seen the Red Sea part, who had eaten manna from heaven, and who had witnessed God’s presence in a pillar of fire still doubt Him?
Before we criticize Israel, we must look in the mirror. How often have we stood at the edge of something God has called us to—an opportunity, a relationship, a ministry, a risk—and backed away because of fear? How often have we believed more in the size of the problem than in the power of God?
Faith is not the absence of fear—it’s choosing to trust God in spite of it.
In Mark 9:24, a desperate father brings his demon-possessed son to Jesus. He says, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus replies, “If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes.” And the father’s response is striking: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
This is the honest cry of every believer who is trying to trust God in the face of fear. It’s the cry that Israel should have made at the border of Canaan. It’s the cry we need when we stand before giants of doubt, discouragement, or danger. “Lord, I believe—help my unbelief!”
Angela had just been offered a new job in another city—a job she had prayed for. It aligned perfectly with her skills and would allow her to serve others in ways her current job didn’t. But as the reality of moving set in, so did the fear. She would be leaving friends, family, and familiarity. She began to second-guess everything. “What if I fail? What if it’s too hard? What if I misheard God?”
One morning, in her quiet time, she read Numbers 14:9: “The Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” The words pierced through her anxiety. She whispered the words of the father in Mark 9:24: “I do believe; help my unbelief.” That became her daily prayer. With every small step—resigning from her job, packing boxes, making the drive—she felt fear, but she chose faith. And in time, she found that God was faithful on the other side of obedience.
You may be standing on the edge of a decision today. Maybe you see the fruit of the promise, but you also see the giants. Don’t let fear be your guide. Like the father in Mark 9, bring your trembling faith to Jesus. Like Joshua and Caleb, believe that if God is with you, no obstacle is too great.
“The Lord is with us. Do not be afraid.” (Numbers 14:9)
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)
Remember, God is for you, God is with you, and God loves you!
Pastor Chris
