Faith!

Faith!

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Matthew 8:10 KJV

Let's put today's extract  in perspective: here was a Roman officer, who wasn't  a Jew, so didn't  understand  the fuss about where Jesus was from. All he knew was that there had been stories about Jesus from some of his fellow leaders of that time, maybe Jairus, who had told him about how Jesus raised her own daughter from the dead. This Roman official wasn't interested in following the popular trend; he needed something from God and nothing, not even tribe, language or culture barrier was going to stop him. Therein lies the first lesson: until I learn to ignore popular opinion, it may be impossible  to truly follow and serve God in an acceptable  way.  Never forget: God is looking  for men and women who will trust him completely. Are you one?

Then came the request: my servant is ill. Jesus offered to come and heal him, but the man understood the authority  and power of the one speaking. Too many times, we have allowed familiarity to blunt our expectations of Who God is and what he can do. We think we got him figured  out,  or there is just one particular place and  time He can be found  or sought out. Thank God  He is not like man: limited,  human and weak. This is a God who speaks from and into etenity; who works from the end to the now, whose wisdom, power and grace are beyond human comprehension.  That is  the God calling us into a relationship  with Him. We have got to know who He is, what he wants and  how he wants us to approach, lest we spend all our lives in the desert, ignorant of who we are called to follow, wandering about, not able to get into the promised land.

And the man said something profound: Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. That is the product of a consistent relationship with God. You come to a point where you know God is not a function of where you worship first of all, but who you know. Men go from place to place, seeking miracles and signs, but never taking time to study and know God. Yet, we want God to come through and show himself mighty on our behalf. If I do not even know how he works, how do I know when he has intervened? That man's statement elicited the words of today's extract. Not even in Israel had Jesus found such great faith. Don't be deceived by familiarity or popular opinion; it is faith that opens the door to the miracles and breakthroughs you seek. No matter the culture or environment, seek God for yourself. He responds to the cry of faith, and all men who have ever held his hands for anything, no matter how complex and irrespective of tribe, language or culture have all seen Him act. What are you waiting for? Call him in faith. His time of favour is here.