ESOCS Devotional 7 December 2023 – Believe the Spoken Word
MEMORY VERSE: “Jesus saith unto him, go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.” John 4: 50 KJV
TEXT: JOHN 4: 43 – 54 (KJV)
Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.
44 For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.
45 Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.
46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.
48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.
51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.
52 Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.
53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
54 This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
The spoken word of God gives life to the lifeless, brings healing to the sick, makes a way where there seems to be no way and gives hope and salvation unto mankind.
In the beginning, the spoken word of God brought things into existence (Genesis 1:2–29). By His voice, He continually makes His will known to everything and everyone. Throughout the first chapter of Genesis, God is set on bringing forth creation. He desires it, He speaks it, and it is. God said, “let there be light,” and there was light. The sky, land, seas, vegetation, and living creatures were all created by the Spoken Word of God.
In our text a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum came to Jesus to plead with him to heal his son because he was at the point of death (v 46). Jesus told him to go his way for his son lives (vs. 50). The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.” What is remarkable about this is that the man had asked Jesus to come with him. But when Jesus simply spoke, “Go; your son will live.” The man obeyed without a question. He believed and went. He did not insist on seeing the miracle. He did not complain that Jesus would not come with him. And amazingly, he simply left. I’m inclined to think that in that moment of seeing Jesus speak so sovereignly in spite of his accusations, something awakened in the man. He saw something more than a miracle worker.
This man, was just a man. His situation was out of his control. How many of us have been in situations which were out of our control? How many of us have ever been in a situation that looks hopeless? Have faith. This man’s situation was not his fault. That is true, but often, our “out of control” situation is our fault, it is the result of our choices. I am glad today that when men can’t, Jesus can! I’m glad today when I face a hopeless situation, I can hope in Jesus! This man was convinced that Jesus could do the impossible, that He could turn his son who was at the point of death. He believed the spoken word of Jesus.
God’s word is alive and active. Hebrews 4:12. There is power in believing God’s word. We can choose to believe God’s word no matter what our circumstances look like because God’s word has the power to shift things in our lives and to change how we respond to situations by renewing our minds. All things are possible for one who believes Mark 9:23.
- What is hindering you from believing God’s word? Ask God to help you overcome it
- Heavenly Father, give me grace to always believe Your spoken word in my life, in Jesus name
FURTHER READING: Genesis 8:13–22; Isaiah 60:1-22; Revelation 19:1–21
ESOCS Devotional 7 December 2023
