CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 854

“At His Word”

Matthew 16:1  …they asked him to show them a sign from heaven…

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My Dad was of a generation where a man’s integrity was as good as his word. Business was often transacted on a handshake and I recall how painfully difficult it was for him when people he trusted reneged on their word.

Jesus was a man of His Word yet people continually sought more signs and miracles to substantiate what He said. Some even scornfully laughed at Him because of His statements. And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. (Matthew 9:23-24)

Jesus said He would rise again after three days. Thomas refused to believe what Jesus said or even the testimony of the other disciples who had seen the resurrected Christ unless he saw Jesus for himself. Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

Jesus marveled at the faith of the Centurion who came to ask Him to heal his servant. (Matthew 8:5-13) The Centurion took Jesus at His Word saying “…only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (v 8) The servant was healed at the very moment that Jesus spoke “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.”(v 13)

Trusting someone enough to take them at their word in today’s society is a rare if not foolish entity. Sadly, I see many elderly of my Dad’s generation taken advantage of by unscrupulous salesman and tradesman who engender trust with smooth talk but fail to deliver on what they were paid to do. ‘Once burned, twice shy’ the saying goes and most of us can attest to the fact that we tend to distrust most of what we read and hear. However, we must be careful not to carry our distrust into all our relationship areas especially our relationship with God.

God said He will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) He tells us that He has plans to prosper us and not to harm us. (Jeremiah 29:11) God says He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear and that He will always provide a way out. (1 Corinthians 10:13) He says that He loves us and has provided a free gift of eternal salvation for all who will accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. (John 3:16 and Romans 10:9)

Can you take Jesus at His Word? Sometimes our trials and difficult circumstances seem to go on and on and we begin to seek a sign that God has heard our prayers and that His promises are true for us also. This is the crucible where our faith is tested and proven. This is where we learn to wait upon the Lord in the knowledge that our impatience is not an indicator of God’s slowness. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness… (2 Peter 3:9)

May you rest secure in the knowledge of the rock solid Truth of God’s Word to you as recorded in the Holy Scriptures. May you have the blessed assurance and peace that comes from taking Jesus at His Word.