At the end of John 4, we meet a royal official who came to Jesus with an urgent plea. He wanted Jesus to return with him to his home and heal his dying son. There's no doubt that this nobleman was out of his comfort zone. Here was a man of nobility who was completely desperate begging another man who he's never met before to come to his home.

You and I would have marveled the same if Jesus would have simply went with him, laid hands on his son and healed him. Instead, for the sake of the man's faith, as well as ours, Jesus did something better. He tested the man's faith by sending him home empty-handed yet full of hope. The only thing that he could cling to and depend on was Jesus' word. And just like that the man departed on his journey home without having seen or experienced any change.

Maybe like the royal official you've humbled yourself and begged God to heal your relationship or take away addictions. Maybe you've even cried out to Him to rip out impatience, arrogance or judgement from your life. And maybe, just like the nobleman, you are on your journey without having seen or experienced any change.

Here lies one of our greatest downfalls. We wait only a few days for a sign of God's work in our lives, and only then do we believe. It's as if we place God on trial and wait for proof of His goodness when really it is us on trial and God desires to see our faithfulness.

How different would your life be if you truly believed Jesus' word?

He wants to see if we would take His word as truth and cherish it until our circumstances align with what He has said. He has already spoken. Take His written Word as promises for your circumstances. Cherish them as truth. It's up to you if you will go on your way and believe Him without a seeing or experiencing a change.

Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. (Deut. 31:6)

God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. (1 Corinth 10:13)

Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isa 41:10)

Continue to march.