Such Great Faith

Lk. 7:9  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" (NIV)

Jesus was approached by the Jewish elders.  They were sent (out of respect) by a Roman centurion whose servant was near death.  The elders, in their efforts to persuade Jesus to visit the centurion's home, pointed out that this particular Roman was a friend of the Jews (unlike most Romans) and had even built them a synagogue.  Because of this work, they reasoned, he deserved (v.4) a favor, a healing for his servant.  He was worthy.  It was almost as if the elders were suggesting that Jesus was somehow indebted to this centurion.

So, Jesus went with them.  But before He actually got to the house and the sick servant, He received a message from the centurion that we are told caused Him to marvel at the man.  Other translations say Jesus admired him and was taken back by him.  Exactly what was it that Jesus could determine about him?

First, he recognized the authority of Jesus (v.8).  The centurion knew with absolute certainty that Jesus' words would be spoken and His will would be done (v.7).  Great confidence produces great faith.  Second, he recognized his own unworthiness (v.6).  He realized that nothing he could ever do on his own would make him deserving of God's favor and blessing.  You see, it wasn't a matter of deserving but rather one of believing.  Humility accompanied his faith and, as a result, Jesus was moved to heal the servant.

Is it possible for God to marvel at us in the same way today?  Yes.  If, in humility, we have the same faith borne out of absolute, unwavering confidence and conviction in His authority, should we not expect the same results?  God will marvel and God will move when He sees such great faith!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  It isn't a matter of deserving but rather of believing.

Make A Statement

Ps. 3:3  But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.

What does it mean to "make a statement"?  It is to declare fact.  And it is important to do so because our position on a matter may be unclear or uncertain to others or even to ourselves.  But the timing of the statement can be equally as important.  Words fitly spoken (said at the right time) make a difference (Prov. 25:11).

David is surrounded by trouble.  He is on the run and being hunted down that he might be killed.  His enemies increase in number while his friends seem to be few.  Both camps are wondering if God has forgotten him.  David has to be wondering, too.

So, David chooses to make a statement.  In the middle of everything that is going on, he declares what he knows to be true.  That God is his protection (surrounding shield), his praise (glory), and his promotion (the One who lifts up his head with joy).  He expresses his confidence and faith in God.  With perfect timing.

In times when trouble seems to surround us and we wonder if God has forgotten us, let us remember David's example here.  Let us choose to declare what we know to be true, what we believe.  That God is our shield, our glory and the lifter of our heads.  Our protection, our praise and our promotion.  When trouble surrounds you, declare God's truth.  Make a statement!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  When trouble surrounds you, declare God's truth.

If You Can

Mk. 9:23  Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."

Imagine the disappointment of the father who brought his mute-spirited son to the disciples expecting a miracle without receiving it.  He explained to Jesus that this condition had been with his son since childhood and this last failed attempt by the disciples to cast out the spirit surely left him without much hope.  He said to Jesus, "If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."  Essentially, what he was saying to Jesus was, "If You have power, then You'll see my faith."  Disappointment leads to doubt.  It causes us to really wonder 'if'.

Jesus' response included those same three words.  If you can.  "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."  In other words, "If you have faith, then you'll see My power."  Do you see that power was never the issue for Jesus?  Faith was.

I like the Message Bible translation of this verse.
Mk. 9:23  Jesus said, "If?  There are no 'ifs' among believers.  Anything can happen."

Disappointment can cause us to question our faith., to even question the power and ability of God.  But we must not lose faith.  We must not doubt God by asking if He can when He already tells us, "If you can...".


Sock Monkey Snippet:  There are no 'ifs' among believers.

Just Our Feet

Jn. 13:10  Jesus answered, "People who have bathed and are clean all over need to wash just their feet.  And you, my disciples, are clean, except for one of you." (CEV)

I've always viewed the account of Jesus washing the disciples' feet as a demonstration of His humility and as an example for us to follow.  And it is certainly that.

But I looked at it today from a different perspective. One that I missed before.  And depending on which Bible translation you are reading, maybe you missed it, too.  In the NIV translation, this verse uses the words "bathed" and "washed".  And although we may use these words interchangeably today, they have entirely different meanings here.  The word "bathed" (louo) means washed completely, totally and fully.  The whole person.  Whereas the word "washed" (nipto) means to wash only in part.  Therein lies, I believe, the hidden beauty of the foot washing.

When Peter asked Jesus to wash not only his feet but his hands and head as well (v.9), Jesus answered, in effect, by saying, "You're already washed completely, now you only need washed in part."  So how were they washed completely?

Jn. 15:3  "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you."

They were washed completely by believing His words, the Word of God.  We then, also as believers, have been washed completely.  Our faith in Christ, the Living Word of God, has completely washed and made us pure.  His shed blood and finished work on the cross have made us able to stand in purity before the Father.

So why then did they (do we) need washed in part?  Their feet were not clean.  There was a part of them that was constantly in contact with the ground, the earth, the world.  And this washing in part was necessary in order to remain completely clean.  Being in the world but not of it (Jn. 15:19, Jn. 17:13-16), and even though we are already "bathed", we will undoubtedly have opportunity to sin.  To get our feet dirty.  Willfully or inadvertently (Ps. 19:13).  But, Jesus stands always girded and ready to forgive us (Ps. 86:5), ready to "wash" us.  Just our feet.

Sock Monkey Snippet:  We're already washed completely, now we only need washed in part.

Ambushed

2 Chron. 20:22  Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.

Jehoshaphat and Judah faced overwhelming opposition.  A great army approached intending (v.11) to throw God's people out from the land, to prevent them from possessing their promised inheritance.  In prayer, a desperate Jehoshaphat said (v.12) they felt powerless and without direction.  But they made one very important decision.  Instead of focusing on the problem they faced, they focused on the God they served proclaiming, "...our eyes are upon You."  God responded through Jahaziel saying, "Do not be afraid...for the battle is Mine not yours."  In other words, have faith and believe (v.20) in Me for your salvation.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed like Jehoshaphat, convinced that the trials, afflictions and enemies you face are keeping you from receiving God's promises for your life?  That you are powerless to do anything about it and don't know which way to turn?  Then do like he did and focus not on your big problem or circumstances but on your bigger God.  Position yourself in faith and not fear knowing that God will fight your battles and that you are assured the victory.  Begin to praise Him!

Having God's assurance of victory, Jehoshaphat and company began, in faith, to sing and praise the Lord.  And out of that praise the Lord set ambushes against their enemies and they were totally defeated.  He confused the enemy camp so much that they destroyed themselves (v.23) and not an single one escaped (v.24).  The spoil gathered by Jehoshaphat and Judah afterwards was so great that it took three days to collect.  Out of the battle came the blessing.

Our faith-inspired praise can produce the same results.  God's battle-bought blessings await us.  Praise Him now because your enemies are about to be ambushed!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Praise Him now because your enemies are about to be ambushed.

So Walk

Col. 2:6  As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.

If we are to walk in Him the same way we received Him, then the obvious question is, "How exactly did we receive Him?'  We received Him in faith.  Believing what we heard (Rom. 10:17) and what we were taught (v.7).  Trusting in God's Word and trusting in God.

And so it is in that same manner we are instructed by Paul to live out our everyday lives.  Being established, confirmed, stable and constant in our faith.  For without it, we are told (Heb. 11:6), it is impossible to please God.  Just as surely as we trusted Him to save us, we must trust Him to help us with the problems we face each day.  It isn't necessary to run anywhere else.  So walk in Him!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Walk in faith in Him.

How Long?

Ps. 13:1, 2  How long, O Lord?  Will You forget me forever?  How long will You hide Your face from me?  How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily?  How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

Ever felt like God has forgotten you or at least turned His face away?  Ever felt like He didn't care or wasn't concerned about you?  Ever felt like the enemy was winning?  Well, you're in good company.  David felt the same way.  Here he asks God repeatedly, "How Long?".  How long are these trials and suffering going to continue?  Did You forget me?  Don't You care?  Why is the enemy winning?  A short time enduring trials and suffering can seem like an eternity.  Feelings of anxiety, desperation and hopelessness overwhelm us.  David expresses them here.

At some point in our lives, our circumstances can cause us to lose faith and ask the same questions borne out of our troubling situation that David did.  It is then, difficult as it is, that we must walk by faith and not by our sight or our feelings (2Cor. 5:7).

Remember when Peter was asked by Jesus to step out of the boat and come to Him?  It was only when Peter took his eyes of faith off of Jesus and looked at the stormy circumstances around him (Mt. 14:30) that he began to sink.  Jesus never lost sight of Peter.  Peter lost sight of Jesus.

David (v. 3) asked God to "enlighten his eyes".  To allow him to see by faith.  To see God even in the darkness of a storm.  God, enlighten our eyes, too.  May we never lose sight of You during our storm.

God will never forget us (Isa. 49:14-16, Mt. 28:20).  God cares for us (1Pet. 5:7).  And so long as we don't quit, we can and will overcome any circumstances or any enemy.  We are more than conquerors (Rom. 8:37).  In the midst of our storm of trials and suffering, we must keep our eyes of faith focused on the Author and the Finisher of it (Heb. 12:2).  No matter how long!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Have focused faith not fearful feelings.

A Taste Test

Ps. 34:8  Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man who trusts in Him.

When you were growing up, did your parents ever make you taste something that you weren't sure you were going to like?  Mine, too.  But they knew the only way for you to be convinced was through the experience of tasting.  By seeing for yourself and knowing for sure.

David invites us to taste and see, to discover for ourselves by experience, that the Lord is good.  As much as others may tell us it is so, we will never be convinced of it without at least giving Him a try.  A taste test, if you will.  How?  By putting our faith (BBE) and trust in Him as this verse says.  He won't let you down and you won't be disappointed.  David was confident, as am I, that once we experience His goodness, a taste will no longer be enough.  We will only want more of Him.  Taste and see for yourself!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Try God.  You'll like Him.

Stopped or Strengthened

Mk. 2:4  And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was.  So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.

With a fully loaded Jeep, we headed to the lake on Saturday intending to make a day of it.  After stopping for gas, ice and fishing bait, we were on our way only to be rudely interrupted by a dummy light on the dashboard signaling that the Jeep had overheated.  An obstacle had just been put in our way.

We have two choices when we are faced with obstacles.  We can either let them stop us or we can press on, break through and let them strengthen us.

Four men (v. 3), having heard of Jesus being at a house in Capernaum, carried a fifth paralytic man to Him believing for his healing.  When they arrived at the house, they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd.  An obstacle had been put in their way.  They could have given up and gone home but chose instead to do whatever it took to get to Jesus.  The four men climbed to the roof, broke through it and lowered the paralytic.  I wonder what the crowd thought and saw.  I know what Jesus saw.  He saw their faith (v. 5), resolve and determination.

To make a long story short, the paralytic man was completely healed by having not only his physical infirmity removed (vs. 11, 12) but by having his sins forgiven (v. 5) as well.  The faith of the four men and surely the paralytic man, refusing to be stopped by an obstacle was unquestionably strengthened.

Faith finds favor.  Resolve reaps reward.  Determination decides destination.

In case your wondering, after we unloaded and reloaded our gear into a different vehicle, with determination we continued on to a wonderful day at the lake enjoying family and friends.  Admittedly, at one point, we almost stopped, gave up and went home.  I'm glad, however, that we broke through the obstacle, being strengthened by it, and reached our destination.

Now, if your interested in buying a Jeep...


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Obstacles will either stop us or strengthen us.

In All This

Job 1:22  In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

Job had it all.  He was healthy, wealthy and blessed with a large family.  The Bible says that (v.3) he was the greatest of all the people of the East.  He had every reason to worship and have faith in God because his life couldn't have been better.

Then, except for his own life, he lost absolutely everything.  Hundreds even thousands of animals.  Gone.  Ten children.  Gone.  Perfect health.  Gone.  Imagine having everything and then suddenly having nothing.  Job went from being the richest to being the poorest.  Few of us will ever experience such tragedy and devastation in our lives.

If anyone had reason to lose hope, waver in faith and question God, it would have been Job.  Yet we're told simply, almost nonchalantly, that in all this Job didn't sin nor did he question God's wisdom (charge Him with wrong).

In all this, Job maintained his integrity not wanting to be found by God to be a hypocrite (27:8).  The Hebrew word for hypocrite (chaneph) literally means soiled by sin.  Job was determined that his actions were going to be governed by his faith and not by his feelings.  That his faith was going to be proven genuine and sincere, in other words, without deceit (Jn. 1:47) or hypocrisy.  Not soiled by sin.  The Greek word for hypocrite (hupokrites) means behind a mask as if acting.  Job's faith was not just acting when times were good.  It was proven authentic when times were not.

In all this, Job didn't question God's wisdom.  He patiently endured, being content (Ph. 4:11) in whatever situation or circumstance he found himself.  Having a contented mind not prone to impatience.  Knowing that God was and is right in all His ways.

In all this, Job worshipped (v.20) and blessed (v.21) God.  It is interesting to read that the very first thing Satan took from Job, even before his children, was his livestock.  He tried to destroy Job's ability to worship by taking away his sacrificial animals.  But Job still worshipped.

We are all faced with trials, tests and afflictions in life.  At times, as in Job's life, they can be almost unbearable.  Yet, in all this, if we remain steadfast in faith, contented in mind and determined in worship, God will surely bless us just like he blessed Job (42:12).

Sock Monkey Snippet:  Remain steadfast in faith, contented in mind and determined in worship.

No Doubt

Mt. 11:6  "And a blessing will be on him who has no doubts about Me." (BBE)

From his prison cell, John must have had his doubts about Jesus.  Like so many others, John expected the Messiah to come with all the external, visible signs of pomp and ceremony fit for a king.  Then there would have been no doubt who Jesus was.  But John wasn't seeing that.

He also must have expected his own difficult, unpleasant circumstances to be so much different and better if, in fact, he was following the "real" Messiah.  But he wasn't seeing that either.

He wavered in faith because of his own imperfect expectations and his own circumstances.  He wasn't seeing Christ at work from his prison cell, only hearing (v.2) about Him.  John needed to be reassured.

Sometimes we find ourselves, like John, having doubts and wavering in our faith.  God isn't visibly powerful in our lives like we think He should be.  Our circumstances aren't easy or pleasant at all.  We just can't seem to see God at work.

But we must not stumble or "be offended" (NIV) because of Him.  We must not get discouraged or give up when God doesn't respond to our imperfect expectations.  He's late meeting our time schedule.  He's not opening the right (or any) doors.  He doesn't fix our circumstances to suit us.  Unmet expectations and circumstances can lead to doubt.  Proverbs 13:12 tells us that prolonged expectation (hope deferred) makes our hearts weak.

In trials and situations, never doubting, we must cling to our faith and rely on hearing God's Word concerning us whether or not we see anything.  Our seeing must not blind us from what we know in our hearts to be the truth concerning God and His promises.  That truth is what will give us the reassurance we need to remain steadfast in our faith.  Jesus said the man who has no doubts about Him will be blessed (envied).


Sock Monkey Snippet:  The man who has no doubts about Him will be blessed.

Faith and Patience

Heb. 6:12  ...do not become lazy, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Faith and patience are two rare commodities in today's society.  Believing beyond our circumstances and then waiting or patiently enduring are almost unnatural for us.  We're more likely to react based upon what we can see and become discouraged or disappointed when things don't happen when we think they should.

If we're honest, we all struggle at times with having faith and patience.  Yet these are the two keys to realizing God's fulfilled promises in our lives.  Notice that they are inseparable.  You can have faith but no patience.  If so, you'll get tired of waiting.  You can have patience but no faith.  If so, you'll get tired of believing or enduring.  Both are necessary.  Faith expects and patience endures.

Chapter 11 of Hebrews is filled with the names of those who are great examples for us to follow.  We're told to imitate such people and be encouraged by them that we might not become lazy but remain steadfast in our own faith.

We are meant to inherit God's promises.  He can not and will not go back on His word.  We just need to expect and endure.


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Faith expects and patience endures.