If you can. . .

I've been traveling a mental trail of late that coincided much with my morning reading.  The part that grasped my mind this morning and would just not let go was found in verses 22 and 23:  "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” . . .  “‘If you can’?” said Jesus.  
I recall a time when I was arguing with God about something he told me I was to do several years back.  My life was not in great shape and I feared taking on such a potentially disastrous project but if God said so, I'd do it.  I told God I had to know that it was him and not just me thinking these things.  His reply was astoundingly clear and direct.  He asked me who I was talking to.
To the credit of the man mentioned in these verses, he had just come from the failed efforts of a group of Jesus' commissioned followers -disciples- who had been healing and delivering all over the place.  Yet they had been unsuccessful at delivering his son from this horrid condition.  But Jesus knew that.  He knew the man had brought his son and had asked him to take pity on them.  He knew there was faith there even if it was imperfect.  Yet he was amazed at the words 'if you can do anything . . .'  Perhaps his statements were to reveal to the man that he did have faith even though it was not perfect in his eyes.  And Jesus delivered his son.  And he told the disciples that such a kind of deliverance required more spiritual involvement through prayer and even fasting -which Jesus did regularly.
So what did God have for me this morning in this.  Perhaps that questioning my faith is a useless thing.  Perhaps that constantly doubting my ability to let God use me or willingness to just accept his favor and blessing because of his great love is somewhat of an affront to the God who loves me.  I've been struggling with 'faith comes by hearing the word of God, when I've clearly understood the word of God.'  But I tried and was not successful, Lord.  In Ephesians 6 he says:   10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Perhaps I'm more involved in the 'doing everything' than in the 'stand your ground' part.
Mark 9:
17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”  20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”  “From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”  
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”  24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”  
Once more I ask "Remove the veil that keeps me from seeing truth."  "Help me to believe in the effect of the faith I have"  'Help me to just keep on doing what I believe I should do."