Faith in the unseen is easier said than done.

But it’s in that same faith we find confidence this God we can’t see is working on our behalf.

This God we can’t see but knows us by name; who knows the plan for our life before its even begun.

This God who has fought us like a faithful Father thus far in a way that assures us He will continue to do so.

This God who’s present even when we don’t see him; who carries us through our darkest and deepest valleys.

We find our confidence in Him.

Still, trusting He is working amidst the pain – trusting Him with our dreams, fears, and uncertainties – doesn’t come easily.

Maybe you were raised on the, “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know” performances at VBS like this girl. Or maybe you went to a school who taught you how deeply God cares for His children by remaining faithful to His covenants.

Maybe you truly, sincerely, believed it.

But, somewhere along the way, we suffer. Our plans don’t come to be and we begin to doubt this so called “all-loving God” really is present; really is working and guiding our life.

You’re lying if you say you’ve never been there.

In fact, 66% of American young adults who attended a Protestant church regularly dropped out between the ages of 18 and 22 and 79% of former Catholics leave the Church before age 23.

How do we get back to that childlike faith where we truly believe, truly trust, God is working?

If one of the people dearest to you was suffering greatly, would you bring it to God? Would you trust the mere power of His word could heal them?

In the book of Matthew, a military officer (centurion) did just this. One of his servants and, I’m guessing, dear friends was lying home paralyzed in great pain.

He had watched him suffer greatly and as soon as he saw Jesus enter his town, the centurion told Him about his servant’s pain. Immediately, Christ responded, “I will come and cure him.” (Matthew 8:7)

I would’ve been all like, “Awesome! That will mean so much to him. Follow me to my house!”

This officer, though, who through his position was clearly well acquainted with the power of a command, trusted in God’s power enough to know his servant would be healed at God’s mere word alone. His response, way holier than mine, was this –

“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.”

Matthew 8:9

Just wow. What a beautiful faith to trust so firmly in the power of God. Jesus was just as wowed. He was so amazed he said to those around Him, “In no one in Israel have I found such faith.”(Mt. 8:10)

How did he get there? How do we get there?

Maybe he had seen and heard God healing people with many different diseases and ailments throughout his country and thought why not ask if he would do the same for his servant.

But that’s a check mark faith and I think this runs deeper.

I think He recognized God was God and he was not (‘I am not worthy to receive you‘).

I think He believed God was who He said He was – the fulfillment of the promises in the Old Testament, the deliverer, the Word of God incarnate.

I think He trusted the Word of God who walked before him could speak into his friend’s deepest valley.

And I’ve found it’s in our deepest valleys we learn to trust Him best. It’s in the disappointments – amidst the suffering – that we see God is working the most.

When we’re stripped down of all our crutches – schedules, families, distractions, etc. – and left in an uncertain silence He is there waiting, longing to hold us again.

Just as he leaves the ninety-nine sheep to find the lost one, lifts him joyfully over his shoulders, and throws a huge party once he is home, our God patiently waits for us to come home to Him.

And yes, sometimes it takes walking through some of the darkest valleys to realize He’s been there working and carrying us all along.

But when we bring our requests, our suffering, our heart to Him, God proves Himself – His presence, His power, His love – again and again and again.

When we give the God within us permission to work, we see He is a God worth trusting. Click To Tweet

Wherever we’re at, may we all have the faith of the centurion to believe without a doubt that our God is working.

“And Jesus said to the centurion, “You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.” And at that very hour his servant was healed.”

Matthew 8:13

By His mere word alone, our God can heal. By His mere word alone

May we rest and be confident in that.

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