Day 85: A Successful Pilgrimage
Author: George W. FlatteryToday’s Scripture: Luke 7:1-10
Central Thought: God desires us to walk under and in His authority
Faith, power, and authority are necessary for a successful Christian pilgrimage. To walk in faith and power we must walk in submission to God’s authority in our lives. We live in an age when many struggle with the concept of authority. From local governmental officials to spiritual authority in the local church, it is fashionable to walk in a state of rebellion and discord.
Perhaps you have observed a child in a store who had no concept of submitting to authority? The mother says, ‘Put that candy back.” The child says, ‘No,” and rips the package open. The mother says, ‘That’s it! Don’t you take another one, and I mean it.” The child grabs something else. The mother says, ‘Put it back.” The child screams, and the mother says, ‘Go ahead and put that in the cart, and be quiet!” The mother was an authority figure, but the child rejected her authority except when it suited his purposes.
Jesus honors those who walk in submission to those in authority over them. Respect for authority is a display of great faith. The Roman Centurion is a classic example of this. He has a sick servant who is about to die. The centurion hears of Jesus and sends elders of the Jews to Him to request that He come and heal his servant. As Jesus nears the house, the centurion sends friends to say to Him,
Jesus was amazed at the faith of the centurion when he acknowledged Jesus’ authority over sickness and disease. Do you need healing today? Christ’s authority over sickness is still effectual. The centurion submitted to Jesus’ authority and said, ‘Say the word, and my servant will be healed” (v. 7).
We, too, can have healing, power, and spiritual authority in our lives as we follow the example of the centurion. Acknowledge and submit to the authority of the One who has all authority in heaven and earth.
Devotional Prayer: Father, help me to walk in submission to your authority in my life.
Today’s Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-; Luke 6:39-7:10; Psalms 68:1-18; Proverbs 11:28