LUKE 7:1-10 – After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with 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.” When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.
THEME OF THE DAY. TWO GREATEST WAYS TO PLEASE THE LORD. Christians yearn to live lives pleasing to the Lord. We wake up every day with a desire to walk in His Ways and honor Him by our actions, attitudes, and speech. The cries from our hearts are that of the Psalmist, “Oh, that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes” (Psalm 119:5). We may do so, not perfectly, but sincerely and consistently. And here are the two greatest ways to please the Lord. The first one comes in today’s scripture and the other is contained in a single statement made by our Lord Jesus.
First, if we long to live pleasing to the Lord, then be like the centurion in today’s scripture. Go back and read what he did. It was so honoring to the Lord that He proclaimed of him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” What was it that caused Jesus to marvel and affirm this man? He believed His word without question, without doubt, and with a confidence that was unmatched in all the land. Friends, one of the greatest things we may do to please the heart of God is to stake our entire lives and eternity on His trustworthy word. That means when tempted to be anxious, we run to His Word and slay the “anxiety beast.” That means when tempted to worry about our future, we throw ourselves on the sure promises of His Word. God is most honored when He is most trusted.
The second way we may please the Lord is by our obedience. Our Lord takes great pleasure in those who choose to live self-denying lives of obedience to His Word. They do so, not out of slavish fear, dull duty, or bondage. They obey out of a heart filled with gratitude and love. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). God created us, then redeemed us, so that we might love Him; freely and willingly. And think about it for a moment. Is there really anything more that would be pleasing to Him than to have us love Him and give evidence of that love by our uncompromising obedience to His Word?
Yes, we may live pleasing to the Lord. It is all about making daily choices to trust and obey His Word.
PRAYER: “Father, help me honor You best by trusting and obeying Your Word.”
QUOTE: “God is most pleased with His children when they read what He said, and then do what He said.”