Take God at His Word

Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” -Matthew 8:5-10

The Roman centurion had great faith because he understood Jesus’ words had authority over sickness and disease. The centurion was willing not only to believe the words of Jesus, but to act on them as well.

The centurion didn’t say, “Jesus, I need You to come to my house.” He said, “You just speak the Word, Jesus, and I’ll take that Word and act on it!” In verse 13, Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

The centurion didn’t need a special manifestation or special feeling. He just heard the incorruptible seed of Jesus’ words, and said, “I believe what You say.” And when the centurion acted on the Word he heard, his servant received his healing.

That’s what God expects us to do. He doesn’t expect us to wait for some special manifestation, even though that may happen at times. God expects us to simply take Him at His Word, believe we receive His promises and boldly act on them in faith.

CONFESSION:

Jesus responds to faith. The servant was healed because the centurion believed the words Jesus spoke would come to pass. I am healed because I believe God’s healing promises will come to pass in me!

From: A Devotional for Divine Health Prescription for a Miracle, Mark Brazee, 1999