[49] “The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” [50] “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed… . [52] When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.” [53] Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.” — John 4:49 - 50, 52 - 53 NIV
For many years, several people have tried to explain what faith is. Many have used Hebrews 11:1 as its definition. But does what is written in Hebrews 11:1 give the real explanation of faith? No! Hebrews 11:1 starts by saying, “Now faith is…”. As far as I’ve compared several Bible versions, there’s no comma between the words “Now” and “faith” in the same scripture. So that verse explains the “Now faith,” not actually faith. What happened in John 4:49-53 explains the faith of God.
On Jesus’ way to Cana in Galilee, a royal official approached Him to request that Jesus should come over to His house and heal his son. Jesus didn’t like that idea because he didn’t want to build the people’s faith based on signs and wonders. That’s why he said,
“Unless you people see signs and wonders, … you will never believe.”
John 4:48 NIV
So instead of Jesus going to the official’s house, He spoke a Word for his son’s healing. That is, “Go, your son will live.” The man took Jesus at His Word and departed (John 4:50). And before he got home, his servants met him with the news that his boy was alive.
The man got surprised and decided to investigate when the boy’s health got restored, and it was the exact time Jesus spoke that Word to him. That is the real explanation to faith: taking God at His Word.
Faith isn’t a confident expectation that God will do something He said He’d do today in the future. That is trusting God to fulfil a vision He has shown you, and it requires your firm stance in the Word, hope and patience. But for faith, it’s taking God at His Word no matter the situations that speak against it.
What has God said He’d do for you? Believe it, and you shall have it. Forget about “how” He’ll fulfil His Word. Just take His Word at heart and move on. He’ll supervise it to happen according to what He has said.
Prayer:
Father, I choose to take You at Your Word. In the name of Jesus, I renounce any voice of the enemy to make me doubt Your promises. By the power of the Spirit in me, I receive strength to cast down every imagination that exalts itself against the Word I’ve received. Lead and guide me in the way everlasting. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD – 2023 – 231
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