“May the glory
of the LORD endure forever; May the LORD rejoice in His works. He looks on the
earth, and it trembles; He touches the hills, and they smoke. I will sing to
the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.”
(Psalm 104:31-33 NKJ)
of the LORD endure forever; May the LORD rejoice in His works. He looks on the
earth, and it trembles; He touches the hills, and they smoke. I will sing to
the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.”
(Psalm 104:31-33 NKJ)
Charles was the
father of the year. His son had invited him to go on a father-son mission trip.
He had consented and his son thought Charles was the best father ever. Being
the father-of-the-year, Charles had many responsibilities. Taking his children
to Disney World would be fun. Overseeing their farm chores sounded like an
exciting opportunity. Taking out the garbage and changing baby diapers would
definitely be a challenge. But going on this mission trip was not something
Charles looked forward to. I don’t like meeting
strangers, he thought. In his heart, however, he knew the real issue:
his son was terminally ill and Charles was scared.
father of the year. His son had invited him to go on a father-son mission trip.
He had consented and his son thought Charles was the best father ever. Being
the father-of-the-year, Charles had many responsibilities. Taking his children
to Disney World would be fun. Overseeing their farm chores sounded like an
exciting opportunity. Taking out the garbage and changing baby diapers would
definitely be a challenge. But going on this mission trip was not something
Charles looked forward to. I don’t like meeting
strangers, he thought. In his heart, however, he knew the real issue:
his son was terminally ill and Charles was scared.
A few Sundays later,
the pastor preached about the centurion’s faith in Matthew 8. This Roman
military officer approached Jesus about his paralyzed slave because he
understood about giving orders to those you command. Perhaps this officer had
carefully considered the miracles Jesus had performed. But somehow he had
concluded that Jesus commanded all the powers of heaven and earth. He
recognized how unworthy he was in relation to Jesus, but he was certain such a
commander could give the order and the power of paralysis would obey him.
the pastor preached about the centurion’s faith in Matthew 8. This Roman
military officer approached Jesus about his paralyzed slave because he
understood about giving orders to those you command. Perhaps this officer had
carefully considered the miracles Jesus had performed. But somehow he had
concluded that Jesus commanded all the powers of heaven and earth. He
recognized how unworthy he was in relation to Jesus, but he was certain such a
commander could give the order and the power of paralysis would obey him.
The pastor noted how
that this officer’s faith amazed Jesus. Then he contrasted the Lord’s amazement
with that of the disciples later during a storm at sea. The disciples were
amazed at Jesus, the miracle worker. Jesus was amazed at strong, confident faith.
Charles knew then that he had to go on the mission trip. He couldn’t deny his
son the experience because of dad’s fears. Dear
Lord, he prayed, give me faith like that
centurion had.
that this officer’s faith amazed Jesus. Then he contrasted the Lord’s amazement
with that of the disciples later during a storm at sea. The disciples were
amazed at Jesus, the miracle worker. Jesus was amazed at strong, confident faith.
Charles knew then that he had to go on the mission trip. He couldn’t deny his
son the experience because of dad’s fears. Dear
Lord, he prayed, give me faith like that
centurion had.
During the mission
trip, Charles was constantly reminded of the pastor’s sermon as he watched the
confidence of indigent people building their church. He noted how they laid
hands on those with illnesses and prayed in faith. Their confidence in the
midst of stormy circumstances was beyond his ability to understand. But the
miracles that he experienced there was proof enough that God had answered his
prayer and was listening to theirs.
trip, Charles was constantly reminded of the pastor’s sermon as he watched the
confidence of indigent people building their church. He noted how they laid
hands on those with illnesses and prayed in faith. Their confidence in the
midst of stormy circumstances was beyond his ability to understand. But the
miracles that he experienced there was proof enough that God had answered his
prayer and was listening to theirs.
Charles and his son
agreed it was a great mission trip. But for Charles, the realization that God
is more interested in our confident faith than the storm around us was indeed
his greatest joy.
agreed it was a great mission trip. But for Charles, the realization that God
is more interested in our confident faith than the storm around us was indeed
his greatest joy.
Dear Father, thank
you for Christ in whom all power in heaven and earth resides. Grant to us a
confident faith like the centurion had. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for Christ in whom all power in heaven and earth resides. Grant to us a
confident faith like the centurion had. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Stop looking at your
storm today and look to Jesus in confident faith,
storm today and look to Jesus in confident faith,