I know you want to honor Jesus, right? I think every believer longs to bring glory to God. So in order to do this, we try to work harder, love stronger, reach out more, and learn at a deeper level. As I’ve gotten older, I may not move as fast as I used to or have the kind of stamina I had in my thirties and forties, but my love for Jesus and His people is stronger than it has ever been. I hope you could say the same thing. Of course, all these things bring honor to Jesus. But as I’ve journeyed with Jesus and walked those dusty roads with Him lately, I have noticed one thing that truly brings Him honor… one thing that seems to stand above all other things. You may ask… What is it? Well, it’s actually one word: faith.
Let’s examine this in Jesus’ daily life.
- To the woman with the illness, Jesus said: “Your faith has healed you” (Matthew 9:2).
- To the blind men, Jesus touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen” (Matthew 9:29).
- To the Canaanite woman with a demon-possessed daughter, Jesus said, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire” (Matthew 15:28).
- To Bartimaeus, the blind man, Jesus said, “Go your way, your faith has made you well” (Mark 10:52).
- To the people in regards to the Centurian, Jesus said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith” (Luke 7:9).
- To the sinful woman, Jesus said, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (Luke 7:50).
I didn’t even scratch the surface on the way Jesus honored those who exemplified a strong faith. Jesus called out, lifted up, and respected those who exerted unwavering faith no matter who they were – the rich, the poor, the dirty, the sinful. And sometimes it was the foreigner – the person outside Israel – who showed the greatest faith.
So, what does this look like for us? What does faith look like? As I pondered it this morning, I wrote a few things down…
It’s a faith thatl…
- Follows Jesus even if the pathway is unclear.
- Searches for answers in the midst of questions of doubts.
- Always runs to Jesus.
- Keep their focus on Jesus and Jesus alone.
- Looks to Jesus in their helpless state.
- Lays worries aside for God’s provision.
- Keeps hoping rather than give up.
- Waits on Jesus to move.
- Prays more than frets.
- Submits to the Lordship of Christ.
- Trusts even when doubts arise.
- Stands up and says, “I need Jesus.”
- Cries louder for Jesus when the world tries to hush you.
Let’s strive for a faith that’s unwavering and unmeasured. A faith that’s resolute, constant, persistent, and steadfast. Jesus will honor whatever faith we can muster up. Let this encourage you today.