Seeing Is Not Believing

I begin my day with a daily bible reading.  Right now I am reading from Portals of Prayer and I would like to share todays devotion with you.

-Read John 4:46-54, Psalm 121

           We tend to think that the eye is more trustworthy than the ear.  Yet faith comes not from what we see, but from the Gospel, which is heard.  Jesus' first miracle was the changing of water into wine at Cana.  The Lord is back in Cana again.  In contrast to the festive setting of a wedding jeopardized by a depleted supply of wine, an official comes to Jesus with a more pressing supplication for his dying son.  Jesus will speak a word of promise that heals the child.  But before He does, He addresses a faith misplaced in what can be seen.
           Signs can be deceptive.  In Exodus, Pharaoh's magicians performed miracles more impressive than those done by Moses.  Paul complained of Jews who seek signs.  Jesus warns of false prophets who work wonders.  Things are not always as they appear.
          Signs are not the ground of faith.  God's speaking gives us certainty.  Jesus says: "Go; your son will live".  The official goes home, as one theologian put it, "with only a word in his pocket."  This is how our Lord deals with us.  In the midst of our sin and death, He causes His words to be proclaimed.  Faith learns how to live without signs and wonders.

Faith is being sure of what you hope for, and certain of what you do not see.  Hebrews 11:1

I pray you have a moment of faith today that brings you closer to the one who loved you first.