Experiencing God - Day 11

Day 11 - Monday, February 19
Read John 4

Highlight
The end of this chapter tells the story of Jesus’ encounter with a royal official.  Scholars point out that it’s possible that this man was a Gentile (someone who wasn’t Jewish) in service at King Herod’s court.  If that’s the case, then Jesus has progressed in the last two chapters from a Jew (Nicodemus), to a Samaritan, to now a Gentile.  This follows the same progression the Gospel is meant to follow in the words of Jesus from Acts 1:8.  The interaction is very simple, straightforward, and insistent: Sir, come, or my child will die; Go, your son will live; He believed and left.

This is a lesson for our prayer lives.  This is the passionate, intemperate, insistent prayer of a desperate man.  He is not interested in the theological niceties of the ‘right way’ to show faith… But that in no way means his faith isn’t genuine.  Are we too concerned with how polite our prayers are?  The man comes to Jesus, appeals to Jesus, and he is heard by Jesus.  We can learn from this to pray more passionately and more insistently.  Certainly, we have no guarantee that every sick child in this world will be healed.  But we do have the promise that he hears us when we pray (1 John 5:15), even if his answer now is ‘only’ to provide us with the ongoing strength that we need to meet the difficulties we face.

Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method.  It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer.  We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading.  It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal.  But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.

S.O.A.P. Method

Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal.  Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.”  What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?

Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage.  What is this passage or verse saying?  About God?  About people?  How is Jesus revealed in these verses?

Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life.  Is there truth about God that you are to believe?  A promise to receive?  Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?

Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture.  This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him.  Be honest and express your heart to Him.  God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Posted in