“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…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!’” (Matthew 8:8, 10 NLT)
Waiting often gives rise to doubting. We ask the Lord to do something specific: “Lord, heal my cancer!” “Lord, I need a job!” “Lord, save my marriage!” “Lord, deliver me from this incessant urge to sin!” In innumerable ways the enemy attacks and we, ideally, turn to the Lord expecting Him to help us in our times of need. Which is exactly as it should be.
Our faith is confident that the Lord CAN do whatever we ask, but it waivers when what we ask doesn’t happen on our timeline. It’s hard to understand, especially as a new believer, that faith is built in the waiting. It takes time to learn that the Lord isn’t our errand boy, He’s Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of the Universe. Does that mean He doesn’t hear our prayers? That He’s not willing to meet our needs? That He doesn’t care when we’re suffering?
He loved us so much He suffered and died in our place before we were born. Of course He hears our prayers! Of course He’s willing to meet our needs! Of course He cares when we’re suffering! To not believe that is blasphemous! That’s why our faith can’t be built on emotion, but must be built on a solid, Biblical understanding of not only who Jesus is, but why He died in our place in the first place.
Ray Majoran helps us when he prays: “Please teach us to wait without fear, and to remember that faith is not built on what we understand but on who You are.” (from Home Beneath the Light – 11-03-25) Our understanding can be skewed, distorted, and wrongly conceived. Any understanding that lessens who Jesus is or shifts the basis from our faith in Him to anyone or anything else is misguided and misinformed.
Edward Mote had it right when he penned the words of the old hymn: “My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.”
In this season of my life, when each day is a new adventure, I must have faith that is centered and focused on a certain, unchanging Rock, not on the fickle ebb and flow of my emotions. Will God heal me? He may heal me in this moment if I asked Him, but I haven’t asked, because His presence is enough. One day when I leave this life I’ll be perfect and forever whole, so, in the meantime, my faith is strong that He has me here for a reason.
He has you where you are for a reason also. And while I may not know your specific circumstance, I do know that if your faith is fixed on Jesus, He’ll be enough for you as well.
Though the soldier in the verses above got exactly what he asked Jesus to give him, faith isn’t always about getting the things for which we pray, it’s about growing in love for and dependence upon the One to whom we pray. Sometimes growing in our intimacy with Jesus means more than receiving the answers we seek.
Our faith can’t be built on answers; it must be built on the One who is the eternal Answerer!
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 