Text: Matthew 8:1-3
Memory text:
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
‭‭III John‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Sometimes ago, I had a persistent hiccup for almost half of the day. It was very discomforting. I thought it was because I had barely drank water that day. So I began to drink and still it didn’t stop. Someone suggested that I take some medications, but I was not open to it. Later, when I got back home, we prayed about it and trusted God. We had barely ended our prayer when the person called again and asked if the hiccup had subsided. Then he suggested I take some honey. Immediately, I stood up, went straight to the shelf where there was a bottle of honey, and took some. As soon as I licked some, to my surprise, the hiccup stopped, and that was it! It was amazing! All the time I was in the office, I had a bottle of honey there, but it never occurred to me that it could do that wonder. That day, the Holy Spirit taught me a lesson. Ignorance can keep you out of your miracle. I knew I had honey in my office, but I didn’t know it could help me until it was revealed. Sometimes, when you are asking for something in prayer, God responds in grace by revealing His will to you so you can pray appropriately. I wouldn’t have thought of taking it if someone had not suggested it. He was an answer to our prayer. Knowing that I could be relieved of the discomfort made me act immediately. Likewise, faith starts when you know that God has provided longevity, healing, and favour for you in His Word. Knowing this builds confidence in you to ask.
According to our text, the leper said: “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” He had no doubt that God could heal him, but he was not sure if it was His will to heal him.
Then, as soon as Jesus revealed His will, saying, “I am willing, be clean”, the man’s faith had a foundation, and he received his healing.
Some people know that God can heal or provide for them, but they are not sure if He wills. This causes faith failure. For example, some people think God is not willing to heal them in order to punish them for the sins they confessed many years ago! “Would any of you who are fathers give your son a stone when he asks for bread? Or would you give him a snake when he asks for a fish?”
‭‭(Matt‬ ‭7‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭GNT‬‬). Have you ever seen a right minded parent who threw a scorpion on his disobedient son because he asked for money?
Friends, faith is activated when God’s will is known. Faith begins not just when you know God can, but when you know God wills it for you.

Prayer points
1. Father, I thank You that You are a good God and that it’s Your will for me to be in good health and prosper in everything, just as I am prospering spiritually.
2. Father, I reject every negative mindset about Your will that has caused my faith to fail in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. Faith is not guessing or assuming. Rather, faith is standing on what God has said: His revealed will.
2. God is good, and His thoughts towards me are good. He has the ability, the wherewithal to meet my needs, and He is much willing.