ERCC DEVOTIONAL (TEKAN) DAILY SPIRITUAL DIET; FRIDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER, 2023
TEXT: JOHN 4: 39 - 54.
SPIRITUAL FOCUS: FAITH BRINGS HEALING AND SALVATION.
In today's study, the Samaritans believed Jesus because of the woman's testimony, "He has told me everything I ever did" (verse 39). Two days later Jesus went from Sycar to Galilee. At Capernaum there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick.
Sickness, disease and death do not know recognize one's position, greatness or name, let alone fear the person. Whatever the value of man, he is a slave to God. This ruler, in spite of his dignity, did not stop pleading with Jesus until his need was met. He first showed a lack of faith in Jesus' authority.
Possibly, we may see that distance and time may prevent the mercy and grace of God. No! the Lord is compassionate, His answer to the King calms him down so much that he believes in Jesus'words "Your Son is alive" (verse 50).
The word assured the ruler that the child would live. He believed, and made his way home which showed complete faith. Brethren, good news comes to those who hope in God. Let us be optimistic whenever we bring the need to the Lord, we will get what we want. In this story, the healing of the boy brings salvation to the family of the ruler (verse 53).
Unfortunately, sometimes we get discouraged and feel that the Lord does not hear our cries when we bring them to Him. This is a big mistake.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: God is all-knowing.
PRAYER: Lord God, give me the heart to thank you always for Your ability to meet my needs in the name of Jesus, Amen.
JOHN 4: 39 - 54 (NIV).
39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”
40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days.
41 And because of his words many more became believers.
42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
43 After the two days he left for Galilee.
44 (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.)
45 When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there.
46 Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum.
47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.
48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”
49 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”
50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed.
51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living.
52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.”
53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.
54 This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee
