Gotta Have Faith

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we live by believing and not by seeing.

Psalm 143:8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

Hebrews 12:2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Well, folks, this old girl had a fabulous weekend so far, and it’s only Sunday morning. Our ladies’ ministry from church planned a trip to Jackson to see Priscilla Shirer in her Going Beyond Live conference. I worked half a day Friday and hurriedly gathered up my belongings that I would need for an overnight stay. My sister, Chandra, and my friend, Lisa, met me at my house. We then drove next door to pick up my friend, Angela. As I was backing out of her drive, my car stopped just short of hitting a huge pine tree. I’m a terrible “backer upper”, and thank the Lord for the technology of my car that is smarter than I am. The car stopped me in my tracks. We laughed as I asked them if they were sure they wanted to ride with me. I’m not sure if they had faith in my driving, but they didn’t jump out of the car! We drove to the church and met up with a few more ladies, and our sweet pastor prayed for us…and my driving. With the help of my backseat driver, whom shall remain nameless but her name starts with C, we made it safely to our destination.

Our group was made up of sixteen ladies of various backgrounds, and on Saturday morning, the sixteen of us joined about 2600 ladies at the First Baptist Church of Jackson. I don’t know if you have every been in a room with 2600 ladies who were gathered together in the name of Jesus, but let me tell you, my friend, it was amazing. Priscilla’s brother, Anthony, led the praise and worship music. He did a phenomenal job. Priscilla shared the Word. We’ve all heard the scripture from Luke 17 concerning the 10 men with leprosy. Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem when he came upon these men. (Luke 17:11-19). Only one of the ten, the Samaritan, fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked Him for the healing. And in Luke 18, Jesus was still on His way to Jerusalem, and as he approached Jericho, He came upon a blind beggar. He asked Jesus for sight although the crowds tried to silence his cries, and he was healed because of his faith. (Luke 18:35-42).

In both instances, Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. He was on His way to the cross, y’all. But that didn’t keep Him from stopping along the way and providing supernatural healing. As I’ve studied these passages in the past, I’ve reflected on the healing, and the faith of the leprous man and the blind beggar. I hadn’t really considered that these miraculous healings occurred while Jesus was traveling to His appointed time of crucifixion. Our Lord and Savior was making His way to the cross. He knew the cup that He had to bear. He knew God’s eternal plan, yet He stopped while He was on His way to heal those who placed total faith in Him.

But what about now? Jesus made His way to the cross. He’s not “on His way” to that destination any longer. He’s not stopping here and there performing miracles….or is He? There is one big twist of events in the story of the cross that we must not forget. Jesus did die on that cross. He died for your sins and my sins. He suffered a horrible, undeserved death so that we might have life. BUT He didn’t stay on that cross. He didn’t stay in that tomb. He arose three days later just as He said He would. He also said something else. “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.  And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:1-4

He is preparing a place for us, and He is coming back to get us. He said it. I believe it. He’s not “going on His way” to the cross any longer, my friend. No, He’s coming. He’s coming after you. He’s coming after me. He can heal our physical, spiritual, and emotional bodies. He can revive us from the dead, and restore us into a loving relationship with the Father. He can cleanse us of our sins, forgive us of our failures, and He even forgets them once we have repented. He loves us so much more than we deserve, and He’s coming for us…daily. And all He asks us to do is place faith in Him. You gotta have faith! I do…do you?