Taking Jesus At His Word

Many years ago, my husband and I attended a memorial service of a very well-known Anglican Bible scholar and teacher called Derek Prince. He taught with great love for the Word of God and with great insight and authority. In his memorial card, it was written, “He took Jesus at His word.”

There is a story I remember from Derek’s testimony of the time when he was suffering from a strange allergy that required him to undergo a lengthy but unsuccessful treatment. He had started reading the Bible avidly after his conversion. He came to the part in Proverbs 4:20-22, which said,

“My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to him who finds them, and healing to all his flesh.”

Derek, who believed without a shadow of doubt that God’s word can be trusted, and being a medical orderly in the army at that time, decided to take the word of God like the medicine he dispensed to patients; three times a day after meals. So he faithfully read from the Scriptures three times a day, after his meal times, and he was completely healed of the ailment that medicines could not cure.

Taking Jesus at His word reminds me of the children’s song that goes like this: “Jesus loves me, this I know, ‘coz the Bible tells me so….”. Children are so trusting. They believe all that is told to them. When a child is being told a story, his or her eyes widen with wonder, drinking it all in, never doubting for a moment that it might not be true, pure innocence shining from their eyes. God wants us to trust Him and His Word as His children.

Jesus has told us many, many times to not be afraid. When we are afraid, He asks us to put our trust in Him (Ps. 56:3). He assures us that He goes with us and will never leave or forsake us (Deut. 31:6). He tells us not to fear for He has given us a spirit of power, love and self-control (2 Tim. 1:7). He tells us not to be afraid for He is with us, and not to be dismayed for He is our God; that He will strengthen us and help us and uphold us with His righteous right hand (Is. 41:10).

God wants us to trust Him when He says that He will never leave us. And as children who trust Him, and who take Him at His word, we will feel safe and consoled in His presence.

Jesus Lord, when I am afraid and find it hard to trust you, hold on to me even tighter. Walk so close to me that I may feel the soft touch of your garment. Put your loving arms around me and draw me nearer to you. Speak to me of your promise and fill my heart with trust in your word. And fill me with joy in your presence.