Mark 9:19
Often we hear it said that Jesus is referring to the faithlessness of his disciples in this particular verse. However, I believe that Jesus is referring to the lack of faith on the part of basically everybody there that day. The scribes, were faithless and unbelieving, trying to find a way to find fault with Christ. His disciples failed to solve this problem because of their lack of faith. And, the multitude around him did not have any more faith than the rest of them. In addition, the man who had come to Christ for the healing of his son, did not have very much faith either.
Jesus makes this statement sound as if he is tired of being patient with this lack of faith. And so, this becomes a difficulty as we remind ourselves that God is always faithful, and that his patience is limitless. The fact is, however, we have to remember that God is a person. And even though he is a perfect person, that does not mean he doesn’t have feelings like we do. Although Jesus was not going to fail to bear the faithlessness of this generation, that doesn’t keep him from expressing his feelings about it. God does this very thing throughout Scripture. Even though he is faithful, he asks us why we do not respond positively to his work in our lives.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your faithfulness. You never fail, no matter what. May we realize that you are not some force or principle, but that you are a person. You care what we do. You love us, and how we treat you matters to you. We will praise your name forever! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.