Thursday, July 24, 2014
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Okay, I've got to admit this. When something's wrong with our car, you're not going to usually find me under the hood. I'm not really that good at that, so I head for the gas station. Now, Dave has worked on our car for years, and he does a very good job. So I would tell Dave the symptoms of what seems to be wrong with the car; the noise, the starting problem, or the loss of power. And then Dave talks back to me. He tells me what he thinks it might be, what he thinks it might cost and how long it might take to fix it. What do I do? Do I say, "Thanks, Dave!" and then chug away in my ailing car? Well, duh, no! I leave it there.
I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Telling Isn't Trusting."
Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Luke 7 beginning at verse 2. "A certain Centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The Centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with Him." Now at this point they're telling Jesus about the problem just like I tell the mechanic about my car's problem. In this case it's a very valued servant.
Now, Jesus responds and the Centurion sends a message back and says, "'I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, "Go," and he goes; and that one, "Come," and he comes. I say to my servant, "Do this," and he does it.' When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him He said, 'I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.' Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well."
Look at those words, "such great faith." Now, why does Jesus say that? Well, see, this Centurion didn't just tell Jesus about the problem. He didn't just bring it to His attention. He trusted Jesus with it totally. That's why he got the miracle he needed.
See, it doesn't do any good if I just go to my mechanic and tell him about the problem. I have to leave my car in his hands; I've got to turn it over to him. I drive away in another car. I leave my car there because I trust the one I've taken it to.
Maybe you're looking at a problem or a need that really needs the touch of God right now. He's the Master Mechanic. He's the ultimate fixer. You say, "Well, I've prayed about it a lot, Ron." We always say, "I've prayed so much about it." Well, you've prayed about it, but have you left it with Him? You told Him, but have you trusted Him?
Notice the Centurion said, "Just say the word and it will be done." See, great faith recognizes the total authority of Jesus over this impossible situation and acts as if it's totally in Jesus' hands. He's the Lord of the outcome. He'll decide the outcome. That's great faith. And that's how you are when you pray about someone or something if you're exercising great faith. "Lord, if you say 'come' it will come. If you say 'go' it will go. If you say 'do this' it will be done."
When Jesus has the problem, you don't have it any more. When you tell Jesus about it, you walk in all bent over carrying this big load, but you walk out of that Throne Room... still bent over? No. When you've really trusted Him with it, you walk in bent over, but you walk out standing tall because you left your load in Jesus' hands. Relax in His total authority over your situation. Exercise that faith that brings down the supernatural; such great faith.
It's like the old song says, "I must tell Jesus all of my troubles." Let's upgrade that, "I must trust Jesus with all of my troubles." So, drive it to Jesus and then leave it there.