Day 9 - Amazing Faith
Day 9 - Amazing Faith
Written By: Joy Hardin
SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Matthew 8:1-3, 5-10, 13, NLT
Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. 2 Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.
5 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” 7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”
8 But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! 13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.
DEVOTION
Matthew 8 records six of Jesus’ miracles, showing that He is Lord over both physical and spiritual illness, as well as nature itself.
The leper believed that Jesus could heal him, but he wasn’t sure if Jesus would. That’s how many of us approach Jesus: we know He can, but we don’t know if He will.
The Roman centurion was a man of authority who cared for his young servant. He had great respect for Jesus, and it’s likely that he had trusted Christ for salvation. This idea is confirmed in verses 10 and 13 describing the centurion’s “faith” and the fact that he “believed.” The word used for faith in verse 10 indicates “a reliance on Christ for salvation,” and the word used for believed means to “trust one’s well-being to Christ” (Strong’s).
Perhaps the most incredible thing in this passage is that Jesus was amazed or marveled at the centurion’s faith. Can you imagine having such pure faith that Jesus would be amazed? My faith would more often be like the father’s in Mark 9:23-24 who cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” The only other time we are told that Jesus marveled or was amazed like this was in Mark 6:6, where He was amazed at the Jews’ unbelief.
In Mark 6:6, Matthew 8:2, and Matthew 8:13 we see three different levels of faith: no faith (unbelief), weak or doubting faith, and great faith. In verse 13, Jesus told the Roman officer that his servant was healed because he believed, so we know that faith makes a difference. But how do we grow our faith? How can Jesus help our unbelief? Romans 10:17 tells us that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of God” (ESV).
Recently my little dog Matilda took a bite out of my husband’s feather pillow. It was only a small bite, making a small hole, but once they escaped the pillowcase, feathers were everywhere! Feathers were all over Matilda’s face, so it was evident that she was guilty. No matter how much I vacuumed and swept, feathers fluttered throughout the house, and they could not be contained. In some ways, a growing faith is like that. It can’t be contained. It should permeate every area of our lives, and it should be obvious to everyone around us.
ACTION STEP
Which of the three different levels of faith most describe where you are on your faith journey: no faith (unbelief), weak or doubting faith, or great faith? Make a decision and a plan to increase your faith.
As a result your love for other believers will increase (2 Thessalonians 1:3), and your faith in God will be evident to others, like feathers on your face. (1 Thessalonians 1:8-9)
PRAYER TIME
Father, You know my doubts and my fears. I want to have unwavering faith, but sometimes I struggle. I know you can, but I don’t always believe that you will. Help me to have greater faith and trust in you.
SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Matthew 8:1-3, 5-10, 13, NLT
Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. 2 Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.
5 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” 7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”
8 But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! 13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.
DEVOTION
Matthew 8 records six of Jesus’ miracles, showing that He is Lord over both physical and spiritual illness, as well as nature itself.
The leper believed that Jesus could heal him, but he wasn’t sure if Jesus would. That’s how many of us approach Jesus: we know He can, but we don’t know if He will.
The Roman centurion was a man of authority who cared for his young servant. He had great respect for Jesus, and it’s likely that he had trusted Christ for salvation. This idea is confirmed in verses 10 and 13 describing the centurion’s “faith” and the fact that he “believed.” The word used for faith in verse 10 indicates “a reliance on Christ for salvation,” and the word used for believed means to “trust one’s well-being to Christ” (Strong’s).
Perhaps the most incredible thing in this passage is that Jesus was amazed or marveled at the centurion’s faith. Can you imagine having such pure faith that Jesus would be amazed? My faith would more often be like the father’s in Mark 9:23-24 who cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” The only other time we are told that Jesus marveled or was amazed like this was in Mark 6:6, where He was amazed at the Jews’ unbelief.
In Mark 6:6, Matthew 8:2, and Matthew 8:13 we see three different levels of faith: no faith (unbelief), weak or doubting faith, and great faith. In verse 13, Jesus told the Roman officer that his servant was healed because he believed, so we know that faith makes a difference. But how do we grow our faith? How can Jesus help our unbelief? Romans 10:17 tells us that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of God” (ESV).
Recently my little dog Matilda took a bite out of my husband’s feather pillow. It was only a small bite, making a small hole, but once they escaped the pillowcase, feathers were everywhere! Feathers were all over Matilda’s face, so it was evident that she was guilty. No matter how much I vacuumed and swept, feathers fluttered throughout the house, and they could not be contained. In some ways, a growing faith is like that. It can’t be contained. It should permeate every area of our lives, and it should be obvious to everyone around us.
ACTION STEP
Which of the three different levels of faith most describe where you are on your faith journey: no faith (unbelief), weak or doubting faith, or great faith? Make a decision and a plan to increase your faith.
- Read, study, and memorize the Bible. (Romans 10:17 & Psalm 119:11.)
- Actively use the gifts God has given you. (Romans 12:6) If you aren’t sure what your spiritual gifts are or if it’s been a while since you’ve discovered them, take the Spiritual Gift Assessment on the Church at the Grove app. (You’ll find the link on the “connect” tab.)
- Guard what influences you. (2 Corinthians 10:15) Evaluate the music, books, TV, movies, social media, and people in your life. Are they negative influences or do they point you closer to Christ? Take steps to eliminate the negative and pursue the godly.
As a result your love for other believers will increase (2 Thessalonians 1:3), and your faith in God will be evident to others, like feathers on your face. (1 Thessalonians 1:8-9)
PRAYER TIME
Father, You know my doubts and my fears. I want to have unwavering faith, but sometimes I struggle. I know you can, but I don’t always believe that you will. Help me to have greater faith and trust in you.
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January 9th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 10th, 2023 - The Burning BushJanuary 11th, 2023 - Strong and Courageous January 12th, 2023 - Obediently Set ApartJanuary 13th, 2023 - Faithful Among Enemy NationsJanuary 14th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 16th, 2023 - Be StillJanuary 17th, 2023 - God Inhabits His PraisesJanuary 18th, 2023 - Enjoying God's PresenceJanuary 19th, 2023 - Broken & Contrite HeartJanuary 20th, 2023 - Asking for OthersJanuary 21st, 2023 - Petition and ProvisionJanuary 23rd, 2023 - One Body, Many PartsJanuary 24th, 2023 - Love One AnotherJanuary 25th, 2023 - Unity in the BodyJanuary 26th, 2023 - Consider Others BetterJanuary 27th, 2023 - Living in the LightJanuary 28th, 2023 - Don't Let Anger Control YouJanuary 30, 2023 - The Power of FastingJanuary 31st, 2023 - Pray as You Can
February
February 1st, 2023 - ScriptureFebruary 2nd, 2023 - Sabbath Day, Best DayFebruary 3rd, 2023 - SimplicityFebruary 4th, 2023 - WorshipFebruary 6th, 2023 - Love Your NeighborFebruary 7th, 2023 - Come and See, Go and TellFebruary 8th, 2023 - GenerosityFebruary 9th, 2023 - Caring for the VulnerableFebruary 10, 2023 - HospitalityFebruary 11th, 2023 - Build
2022
January
Covid UpdateDay 1 - Is It Worth It?Day 2 - God Promises His PresenceDay 3 - Aligning Ourselves With GodDay 4 - The Voice of the ShepherdVision 2022 - Begins this Sunday!Day 5 - Rushing or Resting?Day 6 - "By the Grace of God"Day 7 - A Day for Rest and WorshipDay 8 - Ask Boldly and Surrender CompletelyDay 9 - Our Deliverance for His GloryDay 10 - Ask for the ImpossibleDay 11 - Adversity Meets Unwavering FaithWhat an incredible start to 2022!!Day 12 - Focus Reveals FaithDay 13 - Impossible Mission!Day 15 - Followers of JesusDay 16 - The Good News of God’s LoveDay 17 - Radical Love Leads People to JesusLet's Try this Again...Day 18 - Relentless CommitmentDay 19 - Unending Power SourceDay 20 - Come and See, Go and TellDay 22 - Many Parts, One BodyDay 23 - A New Command - Love One AnotherDay 24 - One Body and One LordDay 25 - Be Angry, But Do Not SinDo you Belong?Day 26 - The Commandment of LoveDay 27 - The Attitude and Obedience of Christ
March
Day 1 - Seeking the Lord TogetherDay 2 - Ash WednesdayDay 3 - The Baptism of JesusDay 4 - The Word as a WeaponDay 5 - Freedom in ConfessionDay 6 - Love Your EnemiesDay 7 - Anxious for NothingDay 8 - Effective PrayerDay 9 - Amazing FaithDay 10 - The Bleeding WomanDay 11 - Confidence in GodDay 12 - Fear Not!Day 13 - Come and RestDay 14 - Kingdom Minded CommunityDay 15 - The TreasureDay 16 - Peace in His PresenceDay 17 - Raise the RoofDay 18 - A Parent's CommitmentDay 19 - Too Good to be TrueDay 20 - Only JesusDay 21 - The Ninety-Nine and the OneDay 22 - Salvation Through SurrenderDay 23 - Good Rest from a Good ShepherdDay 24 - Read the RoomDay 25 - A Fruitful FaithDay 26 - The Wedding FeastDay 27 - Serve Like Jesus