The Humility of True Power
“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”—Genesis 41:16 (NIV)
The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed.—JOHN 4:49–50 NIV
The royal official must have been desperate. He had probably made offerings to the many Roman gods but his son was still sick. He’d heard about a prophet the local Galileans called Jesus. Everyone was looking to see what miracles He would perform.
The official found Jesus and begged Him to come heal his son. But Jesus didn’t do the expected. He didn’t go to heal the man’s son. Instead, He simply said that the son would live. The man may have had a moment of confusion at the unexpected turn of events, but he took Jesus at His word. He believed that Jesus’ word could heal his son, even though he’d expected that Jesus would have to touch his son to heal him. When he arrived home and found his son well, he and his whole household believed.
Sometimes we are like this official. We look to Jesus as a last resort, and then we expect Him to act in a certain way. But as we look through the Gospels, we see that Jesus healed in a variety of ways. Still today He works any way He chooses, not just the way we expect.
Are you looking for Jesus to act in a certain way to answer a prayer? Ask God to open your eyes to the unexpected ways He is working.
Lord Jesus, thank You for being intimately involved in our lives. Remind us to trust You for everything. Amen.
“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”—Genesis 41:16 (NIV)
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.—Psalm 19:4–5 (NIV)
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.—John 3:8 (NIV)