LIFELINK Devotional

Thursday, July 16, 2020

How much faith does it take to walk away with only a promise but without any evidence that anything has been accomplished?

That is the question that challenges me as I read in John chapter four about the man whose son was near death and needed to be healed, so he went looking for Jesus. Let’s read the story.

“So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household.”

He was from Capernaum. Jesus was in Cana. He had travelled at least a day’s journey to cover the 16.4 miles between the two cities. Then he had to find Jesus. When he did, he asked Jesus for a miracle. That took faith. But the man’s authentic faith was on full display when he believed the words of Jesus and walked away without any evidence that anything had been accomplished.

Authentic faith takes Jesus at His word. Less than authentic faith demands evidence before moving on.  It was a long trip back home for the man without any proof that Jesus had done anything. The only thing he had was the promise that his son was healed. Wow! What kind of faith is that? I would have stayed there until a messenger came and told me whether or not my son was healed.  I would not have taken one step away from Jesus until I had proof. But not this man.  His faith moved him forward in full expectation of a fulfilled promise. Then came the proof. Before arriving home his servants informed him that his son had been healed at the exact moment that Jesus said he was. Authentic faith is always rewarded with perfect fulfillment of the promise.

I wonder how many of us are stuck waiting for evidence rather than moving forward, confident in the promises of God? Authentic faith moves forward. Authentic faith believes the promise without need for evidence. Authentic faith considers the matter settled even before we know it is, because Jesus said it is.

You will have to excuse me for a while. I need to let the Holy Spirit show me the areas of my life where I am stuck because I don’t really believe the promises of God. I may have taken too much comfort in knowing that I’m standing on the promises, when I should be moving on the promises.

Pastor John