ICS Daily Devotions
The Substance to Our Faith
Matthew 8:8-10 (NKJV)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!
This passage is probably one of the best examples of faith and its definition in the Bible. Jesus mentioned that the centurion had great faith. The centurion, being a soldier of another country, was foreign to the covenant of Israel, but he was convinced that Jesus is the Son of God. He knew that the Son of God has authority and sovereignty over the situation. Moreover, he understood the power of the spoken word especially if it was uttered by the Son of God. He believed that things would happen when Jesus spoke of them.
As for us, when Jesus has spoken or the promises are written in the Word of God, we should also have faith in what He has spoken in the Word. The centurion explained the power of the word as spoken by a person in a position of authority. He was convinced that Jesus’ Word has similar power and authority since He is the most supreme being, God. Therefore, he believed when Jesus just spoke the Word, it was done, and the servant would be healed. Jesus said he had never seen such great faith, not even in Israel.
Hebrews 11:1(NKJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. We should put our faith in God’s promises while we do not deny facts, medical reports, experiences, feelings and symptoms in our bodies. What gives substance to our faith is the promises of God found in His Word, including having faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The centurion hadn’t seen the servant’s healing because the servant was at home, but he believed that as soon as Jesus gave the Word, the servant would be healed. Faith is the substance (the Word) hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Once Jesus has spoken, the Centurion would have the substance to his faith coupled with his conviction of who Jesus is!
We should do likewise by approaching Jesus in faith and confidence that He will heal and deliver us from any crisis.
Sermon Series: Focus on Jesus
