Believe… A religious ruler’s daughter lay dying. The father fought through the crowd, fell at Jesus’ feet, and begged the Teacher to come.
On the way, a messenger arrived with somber news. “She is dead. Don’t bother the Teacher anymore.”
Don’t bother. The voice of doubt. The voice of a religion that believes in God, but not in the power of God. And a God without power is no God at all.
Jesus knew that voice. He’d heard it in the wilderness while fasting. Heard it in the Garden all those years before. God won’t. God can’t. God isn’t.
He turned to the father. “Don’t be afraid. Only believe. She will be healed.”
When the doubters shout, Jesus whispers. Do not fear. I am here.
But here is not enough. We want more than a God who simply comforts us in our sorrows. We want the God who heals, restores, repairs, and renews. We want the God of the Bible.
Trust Before Fear Settles
Notice what Jesus said: “Believe… only.”
This command is key for the father. A moment more and he might have missed his miracle. Had Jesus not stepped in with this word, the little girl might never have become a central story in the healings of Jesus.
Learn from Jesus. When doubters shout, and our belief takes a hit, keep quiet. Do not agree with doubt. Do not speak.
Fear must be stopped before belief can take hold. Because fear is not simply an emotion. Fear is agreement with a negative outcome. The moment we accept a bad report, belief slips into second place and future outcomes shift. Jesus interrupts fear before it can settle in our heart. Jesus steps in to clear the way for belief to reign.
Believe That All Things Are Possible
And in our hearts is where belief flourishes. Jesus said, “If you believe, all things are possible” (Mark 9:23).
Not some things. Not likely things. All things. That is truth. That is a declaration. Belief doesn’t simply assist God’s power. Belief permits God’s will to act, move, and change circumstances. The father’s surrender at Jesus’ feet was not just humility. It was him opening a door into the realm of heaven. He gave Jesus permission to do on earth what Jesus had already seen done in heaven.
But we must understand what “all things” means. All things align with God’s will. And here is the good news: believers know God’s will. His Word reveals it. His character confirms it. When we pray, “Your will be done,” we are not surrendering to whatever will be, will be. We are not giving up and accepting bad outcomes because we are unsure what God wants for us. We know what God desires. He gave us Jesus on the cross to save us. And if He did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also graciously give us all things (Romans 8:32)? We are agreeing with God, whose will is always good. As Romans 8:28 tells us, all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
His will is healing. His will is restoration. His will is wholeness. And when our belief aligns with His will, nothing interrupts the miracle that is coming.
Guard Your Space
When the father arrived at the house, the mourners were wailing. Jesus, perhaps hanging back with Peter, James, and John, said: “She is not dead. She is only sleeping.” Belief confronting doubt. Belief reestablishing authority. And they laughed at Him. They mocked Him.
Here, Jesus gives us an important step we must take. One that will offend. One that may leave us isolated from others. He removed all doubt from the room. Not out of rudeness, but because belief and doubt cannot coexist.
Belief is fragile in its early moments. Doubt boasts that it is always right, that the worst outcome has the odds on its side. So, before belief is firmly fixed in our hearts, it must settle. It must be protected. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts, for out of our hearts flow the issues of life. Issues… life… our heart is fertile, valuable territory. Jesus was guarding the space where the miracle would be born. And if we want to see our miracle, we must guard our hearts, thoughts, and the space where we live.
This is not “name it and claim it” arrogance. This is modeling the calm, confident character of Jesus. Facts are no match for the God who creates all things. And when facts encounter faith, His power flows.
Even When It Seems Too Late, Believe
With a single command, her spirit left its place with God and returned into her body. At Jesus’ touch, she rose.
Here’s what’s striking. In Matthew’s account, the father doesn’t just say she’s dying: he says she’s already dead. Yet he still comes. Still bows. Still asks.
Where did he get that kind of faith?
He may have been in Nain the day Jesus raised a widow’s son. Seeing birthed faith.
But you and I don’t need to see to believe. We have something greater: God’s Word. Romans 10:17 tells us faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. When you read your Bible, when you receive it in your heart, your spiritual ears open. And once planted in your heart, faith is born. Not wishful thinking. Not optimism. Faith: the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).
Faith Without Division
Now, here is where conviction must rise. Most of us pray honestly. We desire real change. But there are moments when we ask God while quietly rehearsing the alternative. We speak faith while preparing emotionally for disappointment. James 1:6-7 calls this being double-minded and warns that a double-minded person should not expect to receive anything. That is not condemnation. That is an invitation to settle the matter internally before the miracle appears externally. To close the door on doubt and stand in singular belief.
Notice how the father aligned his belief: he fell at Jesus’ feet in worship. A religious leader, a man of status, bowing before Jesus. Acknowledging His authority. His power. Accepting Jesus’ will and knowing beyond doubt that Jesus both could and would do what he hoped.
That is the key to your miracle. That is the key to your healing. The pathway to your next breakthrough: worship beyond words of praise and thanks, but also with bold belief.
Believe Through the Resistance
And when the miracle comes, and it will come, do not be surprised if the journey includes resistance. Jesus himself faced opposition, persecution, and the cross on the way to resurrection. He faced opposition from the crowds before He left to heal the girl. He faced opposition when He arrived at the house. The spirits of doubt and fear don’t back away when Jesus shows up. They yell louder and bring friends.
Jesus warned us plainly in John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart: I have overcome the world.” The trouble He speaks of is not sickness or affliction. It is the resistance that comes when you walk in faith. Press through it. Because if we are honest, if we read the acts of Jesus and take Him at His word, we will see that faith is the key to life for believers. Without faith, we cannot please God (Hebrews 11:6). We must believe that He rewards those who seek Him. There is simply no way to claim that it is God’s will for us to doubt and live with unbelief. Yes, He will still comfort us, but oh how He desires instead to celebrate with us when He is glorified through the manifestation of His power.
Don’t just know about Jesus. Know Jesus. Invite Him into your home: into the very room where healing is needed and miracles are sought.
Jesus is not bothered when you come to Him. He is moved by your faith. He is honored. And He is eager to act.
Don’t be afraid. Only believe. Jesus is the same today as He was in that home. Invite Him in.
Sundays, you’ll find the Pirate Preacher in Moore Square, Raleigh, NC, and at the bus station. There, Team Jesus passes out food, water, chips, and cookies. We also lay hands on and pray with other so they may enjoy the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10). His books are read by countless inmates and used to introduce others to Christ.
Down to Davy Jones on Amazon
Blackbeard the Pirate and Stede Bonnet’s Fateful Clash on Amazon
The End of Calico Jack on Amazon
Dead Calm, Bone Dry on Amazon
Curse of the Black Avenger on Amazon
Amen. I love this.
This story always touches me. Thanks for a fresh telling.