Thoughts for another day

October 17, 2011

Today's verse: Mt. 8:10. 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.  (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Our Scripture today is about the Centurion who had a sick slave at home. There's a small dialog between him and the Master, after which the Master utters the above Word.  What's strongly said by the Master is on the kind of faith the Centurion had - a man whose god would've been some idol or some myth and who had probably never seen God's hand as had the Jews.  Yet he was convinced about the God of Israel and believed in Jesus and knew He could do anything. 

What's striking about this you may ask.  It's like jumping into the ocean from a ship, not knowing how to swim, yet knowing you will be rescued – how, you do not know; what you do is that you will be rescued.  This kind of faith is nothing short of amazing for remember being human, the mind will always remind you of what will be in store if you do not care about the consequences of your actions (or inaction), in the Godly realm of course.   At times it's extremely difficult to hold on to faith in God for circumstances around us seem so dangerous.  Everything seems to be riddled with failure and as for God's Presence; it just seems to be, not there.  That's when insane faith in God in a man, if he has it, comes to the fore.

Lord, he will say, here, I've lost an arm and a leg, yet God of heaven and earth, I know You will repair.  See, he says, I can't swim, yet I will come out of this unscathed.  At this point in time, God is amazed:  He tells Himself, I allowed this man to suffer, but look, he still holds on to Me and isn't taking his eyes off Me.  Then He will arise, He, the God of heaven and earth, and He will order your situation to be changed.  Then will that faith bear fruit and bring plenty in your life.   Insane and blind faith is possessed by very few.  Happy are you if you do, for no matter what situation you're in, with the explosive power of your faith, you will change the world for the Lord and all will know of your faith and marvel and say, 'Oh, what faith!' But there will be more who say, that's an insane fellow.  But be thrilled when someone says this for then you know the Master is pleased and He will relent.