VERSE:
A man with leprosy came and knelt before Him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.
— Matthew 8:2-3

THOUGHT:
For most of us,javascript:void(0) we know that God can do whatever He wants. The issue of our unbelief isn’t usually rooted in the question “can God do this?” but rather “will God do this for me?” The man with leprosy knew that Jesus was able to heal, but was not sure if He was willing to heal him. He knew about God’s sovereignty, but did not know where he stood in light of God’s plan. God is absolutely sovereign and in control of everything, yet He still tells us to pray and ask Him for things. At what point does God’s sovereignty line up with our desires? The answer is: when our desires line up with His heart revealed in His word. The closer we get to God and the more we grow in our understanding of His revealed will (the Bible), the more faith we can have when praying for those things which we want.

APPLICATION:
Grow close to God. Search His word, knowing that in doing so you are unpacking the riches of His heart. Allow Him to grow your faith the more you learn about His sovereign purposes.

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, show me your ways. Draw me closer to your heart, so that I would know more clearly your sovereign purposes in my life. I thank you that in so doing, my faith to receive good things from you will be increased. In Jesus’ Name I pray, AMEN!