Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed. (John 4:50)
WE ARE TAUGHT TO BE SKEPTICAL of things that sound too good to be true. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. So every day I delete a couple of e-mails from rich widows in Nigeria who believe I will handle wisely the multimillion-dollar estate of their late husbands. I just don’t think they are credible. We are growing a culture of skepticism and cynicism, even among Christians.
If you have experienced one reversal after another, why should you believe it could ever get better? If the doctor tells you there is no hope, why would you think there could be? If your prayers never seem to be answered, why would you think your next one will be? If everyone in your life has disappointed you, why should you think Jesus will be any different?
It takes strong faith to take God at His word. You could look ridiculous if you believe the Spirit has convicted you that you need to accept a biblical promise and apply it to your situation but nothing positive happens. So why believe it? There is always a certain kind of risk involved in exercising faith that takes God at His word.
Why should you believe Jesus when He says that your dying son will not die? Because He said it, that’s why. It might be too good to believe from someone else, but if God says it we should take Him at His word. Right?
Reflect on what God has been saying to you lately that you need to accept and believe.
Ken Heer has been a pastor and church leader for fifty-two years and lives in Brooksville, Florida, with his wife, Nancy. Ken is the author of Ancient Fire (WPH).
