By Your grace, Lord, I will not be a propped-up disciple. Such a disciple always says, “I will not believe, except.” Like Thomas and Gideon, he must see tangible signs that God is with him and he will not budge without them.
Signs are so comforting, and I need them at times, but Your desire, Lord, is to make us sign-less Christians who simply take You at Your Word. How often I have prayed, “Lord, lead me, and show me a sign that I am headed in the right direction.” There is nothing wrong with signs after the fact; but it is asking for signs before the fact that shows I am shaky in my trust.
I must emulate the centurion of Capernaum who asked Jesus to heal his sick servant (Matthew 8:5–13). He said, “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed” (v. 8, NIV). In other words, “Not even Your physical presence is necessary; Your word is enough.” How often have I taken the naked Word of God as sufficient, and not asked for props, signs, or even His manifest presence? No wonder Jesus said, “I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith” (v. 10, NIV).
Too often I am like Abraham, whose trust had a sliver of doubt in it. “What [sign] wilt thou give me, seeing I [am] childless?” (Genesis 15:2, ASV). He wanted to believe God, but the flesh kept getting in the way. So God accommodated him (as He often does us) and gave him “the stars” (v. 5) as a sign. It was then that Abraham “believed in the Lord’ (v. 6). But how much better to have said what the centurion said later, “Just say the word!”
Lord, make me a “Just say the word” disciple, and let me not need to be propped up even by such wonderful things as Your stars! Let me say with Mary: “Be it done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
“Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness continues throughout all generations” (Psalm 119:89–90).
Daily with the King 