I’m still on the topic of Faith on the basis of Luke 7:1-10. The Centurion in that account was in a difficult circumstance and turned to Jesus for help.

You and I often find ourselves in similar situations with our backs against the wall. Loss of a job. Family problems. Sickness. We try every solution we can think of, exhausting our resources. We have heard the promises of God, we claim to believe them, even encourage others to trust in them, but we sometimes fail to trust that God is good and faithful ourselves. We don’t lean on the promises that God has made.

There is the story of a traveler who came to the banks of the Mississippi in the early days of this country. There was no bridge. It was early winter, and the surface was covered with ice. Could he dare cross over? Finally, after much hesitation and with many fears, he began to creep cautiously across the ice on his hands and knees. About halfway across, he heard the sound of singing behind him. Out of the darkness came a man driving a horse drawn load of coal across the ice and singing merrily on his way. Here he was, on his hands and knees, trembling lest the ice not be strong enough. And there, on the very same ice, went the other man, with horses, a sleigh, and a load of coal, held up by the very same ice, so confident that he was singing. How often do you and I creep upon the promises of God?

Here are some examples of God’s promises you can trust:

• You can trust God’s promise of forgiveness. When you are overwhelmed by guilt, your conscience troubling you, you can trust that what Jesus did has taken care of it all. … the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John:7
• God will meet all your needs: If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31b-32
• When you feel abandoned and alone with a problem, when even God seems distant and removed, you can trust that He will not forsake you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Be a man or woman of faith. God’s promises are certain, and He will strengthen your faith through His Word and Sacraments. He understands your weakness, and invites you to come to Him. In fact, another account of a healing Jesus did was for the son of a father who admitted his own weakness of faith and said: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24. That is what God wants to hear all of you say. You have faith in Jesus. Grow in that faith.