Come and See

God is worthy of praise at all times—regardless of circumstances. But how sweet it is when we are able to praise Him for answered prayer. A psalmist expressed it via an invitation: Come and see what God has done. . . . (Ps. 66:5a NIV)

The psalmist doesn’t make light of life’s problems. Nor does he claim everything went smoothly in the middle of the difficulties. He relates how God tested His people. Speaking for the nation of Israel He says to God, You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water. . . . (v. 11,12a)

On the other hand, God did something marvelous: You brought us to a place of abundance. (v. 12b)

The key for the psalmist was prayer. He says that he personally cried out to Him. . . . (v. 17a,) Because he experienced victory and joy, he calls others to join him in praise to a God who hears and answers prayer.

Originally published August 12, 1988.

As You Have Believed

A Roman centurion came to Jesus when a beloved servant was painfully tormented. Because the centurion was Roman, he would have had only limited knowledge of God’s Word. And it would have been against his background and training to seek help from an obscure rabbi of an occupied nation.

But the man had a need, and he was impressed by Jesus—by the nature and the character of Jesus’ ministry. So he approached, not expecting special consideration, asking that Jesus, “only speak a word. . . .” (Mt. 8: NKJV) He believed Jesus could help him by healing his servant from a distance.

Jesus marveled at the man’s faith. He saw the centurion as a forerunner of multitudes of Gentiles—of people outside the nation of Israel—who would turn to God: “many will come from east and west,” Jesus said, “and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven . . . Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” (v. 11,13b)

Originally published May 4, 1990.
Picture: Desert landscape, Las Vegas, NV, 2008. Photo by Solveig.