Basis of Faith

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him,
“Lord, If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Luke 5:12

I read this passage last night and it popped out at me in a different way than in my past readings. The statement the man makes struck me as strong in faith but also submissive to authority. He knew that Jesus could heal Him but He also knew that his healing was not guaranteed, unless it was the will of God. Are we willing to make that same statement of faith? Are we willing to say, “Lord, I know you can heal, and I ask you to take away this hardship from me, if it is your will?” More importantly though, are we willing to listen to his answer? Are we willing to have a faith that asks for healing and yet walks away still covered in our pain and suffering? Does our faith depend on healing?

This passage really made me re-evaluate my faith; it made me ask myself if my level of trust and praise depended on God’s level of healing and giving to my needs. It’s easy to praise God when He is leading you away from a storm, but where is my heart of worship when I am in the middle of the storm and I am left only to trust in God’s purpose and plan when the outcome is not known to me?

The power of the lepers’ statement was not that He acknowledged God’s healing power but it was that He acknowledged God’s plan and purpose in using His people to fulfill His will and that pain and suffering may be part of that plan to advance His kingdom. He showed His heart to God, He showed His desire of wanting the pain lifted, but in the presence of the almighty He said, Lord let your will be done.

I have to ask myself if my faith is based on what God can do for me

or if it’s based on what I can do for God.