ONLY SAY YOUR WORD

• DAY 208
• FAITH FILE: THE CENTURION
• SCRIPTURES: MATTHEW 8:5-13; LUKE 7:6-11

Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

Matthew 8:5-13

Today we are introduced to a Roman official called the a centurion. Now a centurion is a high ranking military official that has command over 100 people. This man was a Roman and not a jew but according to Luke 7, he had a heart for the Jews. He did not worship God but he built a synagogue for them, which means he had respect and regard for God. 

The heart of this man is clearly good because we read that he sought Jesus because of his servant. It takes a different kind of man to be caring and interested about the well-being of a servant, especially in those days when servants were owned like properties. We read in Luke’s account that when Jesus hears about the things this man did He started to go with the Jewish elders the centurion sent to Him.

A Surprising Faith

However, before Jesus got to his house, He is met by friends of the centurion with another message:

“Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” Luke 7:6-7

In other words, Jesus I trust your capacity and your ability, you don’t have to come into my space for me to be a beneficiary of your power. I don’t need to see you face to face. I know that you came for the Jews and i am not a jew. So I’m not qualified to host you. But my inadequacy is not a reflection or a hindrance to the potency of your word. So just stay where You are and speak. I know the authority you carry and being a uniform officer, I understand authority. So, I believe that Your word is powerful enough from a distance as it is up close. I trust the efficacy and the capacity of your word. And with these words, he releases his faith and trust in Jesus. 

And the Bible says that Jesus was surprised. He had been around villages in Israel and not one person had that much faith. To find it in a gentile was marveling. 

The Word is Potent

Dearly beloved, you have the word of God with you in your homes and the spirit of the word, living on the inside of our heart, it is so close and personal. Can you say that you believe it completely? Some of us want to hear a voice in the sky or see Jesus appear before us before we believe that the idea came from Him. We think it doesn’t apply to reality or it is not relevant today. We forget that God knew what 2023 will be like before He inspired the writing of the scriptures.

I heard a preacher say that what God says to one, He says to all. His word is his word. And that is absolutely true. He doesn’t need to appear to you physically for you to believe that His word will have power for you. Only believe. if you believe with your heart, you will see the manifestation of the Word of God. 

A Piece Of God

The Bible says that He sent forth His word and He healed and delivered them. His word has His backing because He is not and cannot be separated from his word. When God releases a word, he releases a piece himself. The moment we understand this, we will doubt His word less and hope and believe in him more.

I want to encourage you today to trust God’s word absolutely. His word is true. Nothing can defy God’s word. It is final authority, and everything obeys it. When God releases a word, it is for you. You don’t have to think it’ll happen for somebody and not happen for you. 

Repeat After Me

Say your word, O God, and I will be healed. Say your word, O God, and I will be changed. I believe that if you say your word, my finances will be transformed. If you say your word, everything that concerns me will be awakened. God, I believe that if you say your word, my family will be restored, my marriage will have peace. Jesus, Say your word and my life will be whole. In Jesus name.

You need to declare these things to your heart so that your heart can know that you have a non-negotiable allegiance to the Word of God. And you believe that God’s Word has the power to change and transform your life. Say that prayer one more time with confidence and faith.

Shalom.