He came into a small town, and ten men met him there. They did not come close to him, because they all had leprosy. ¹³ But the men shouted, “Jesus! Master! Please help us!” ¹⁴ When Jesus saw the men, he said, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” While the ten men were going to the priests, they were healed. ¹⁵ When one of them saw that he was healed, he went back to Jesus. He praised God loudly. ¹⁶ He bowed down at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. (He was a Samaritan.) ¹⁹ Then Jesus said to the man, “Stand up! You can go. You were healed because you believed.”  Luke 17:12-16, 19 (ERV)

Too often, we begin to pray for the Lord to show up in the midst of our situations without doing our part; applying faith.   If faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, why are we looking to see results before we believe?  If we can see it happen, it is not faith.

This passage of scripture shows faith in action.  The ten lepers cried out for the Lord’s help only for Him to give them orders go show themselves to the priest.  This was the law given in Leviticus chapter 14. If there were lepers among the Israelites, they were to report to the priests to be declared clean.

As the lepers obeyed the word of the Lord, they were healed. This is profound! Their healing came as a result of their obedience to the Word of the Lord.  This story should serve as a reminder of how important it is to move according to the Lord’s instructions.  Jesus told the leper that returned it was because of his faith that he was healed. Again, healing manifested because they believed and were obedient.

The Lord is awaiting your next move. Will you do the same?  Will you begin to take Him at His word?  The time is now for you to put action to what you say you believe. You may have to start small, but start now.

Father, I pray that we will begin to take you at your word. You are a God that cannot lie. If You said it, You will perform it. May we come to know your heart for us and the grace that is readily available.

Grace and Peace to you,

Mary

© Mary Pinckney, 2014