Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

You are loved

Monday, April 4, 2011

John 4:46-52
There was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to Jesus and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death.

Jesus said, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe."

The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies."

Jesus said to him, "You may go; your son will live."

The man believed Jesus and left. While he was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, "The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon. And the father knew that was when Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live."

Been a parent? Are one now? Been sick with worry? Course you have. So little control you have over the breathing and heartbeats and brainwaves of your beautiful wonderful child.

What to do when she's sick? Call the doctor, take her temperature, change the sheets and put her near a vaporizer. Pray. Sometimes she doesn't seem to be getting better. Sometimes she gets worse.

Lifespan in Galilee during these years was much lower than it is now. But for this little guy, Jesus changed everything. His life was saved by the breath of Jesus saying to his dad, "You may go; your son will live."

I don't know what to think about the children who do die. But I see something about God in this story. He knew exactly what to do to save the boy. He knew him all the way through, his body and all that was within him. One touch ... and the fever left him. And Jesus didn't even have to be in the room. In the house. In town at all.

God knows me like that. I love these lyrics from MercyMe (YouTube link below):

Before you ever took a breath
Long before the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed
There was one more precious
Off all the earth and skies above
You're the one He madly loves
Enough to die ...
You're beautiful, you're beautiful
In His eyes

And because You do know me and love me like that, Lord, I want to stop asking so many questions about life and death and joy and suffering, and just be loved. Just look up. See you, and not so much of me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6pS5HCkgPI

Devotions Archive

You are loved

Monday, April 4, 2011