How to Amaze God

"You are AMAZING!"

Maybe you long to hear these words from your spouse, your boss, your children, your students, or even your mother-in-law.  How much MORE exciting would it be to hear these words from God?  According to the New Testament, there are two ways we can amaze God. 

The first way to amaze God is to doubt him.

In Mark 6, Jesus was visiting his hometown, teaching and preaching in the synagogue.  The people from Nazareth were impressed by his teaching and curious about the miracles He had performed in other towns, but they were struggling with one detail of his ministry.  They were offended to think that this man who had grown up among them had the audacity to want to be Lord over their lives.  They took offense.

Their disbelief and lack of faith had this result:  "He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them."

"And He was amazed at their lack of faith."

I wonder how many times I amaze God this way?  How many times do I read His promises, hear His Word preached, see His hand in my life and in the lives of others, and continue to doubt and disbelieve?  How often do I take offense at God when He instructs me to surrender a stronghold in my life? How often do I hold something tightly in my fist, not allowing God to take it out, all the while failing to realize that clenching my fist also prevents Him from putting anything in? Is God amazed at my lack of faith?

The second way to amaze God is to believe Him.

Luke 7 tells of a Roman centurion whose beloved servant was sick.  Like the people in Nazareth, he too had heard of Jesus.  Perhaps he had heard Jesus preach, for the Bible says he loved the Jewish nation and had given money to help build a synagogue.  When he heard Jesus was in town, he sent elders to speak on his behalf.  "Please heal my servant," was his request.

Jesus, in response to his faith, immediately started toward his home.  "When He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, 'Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.'"

"And Jesus was amazed at him,

and turning to the crowd following Him, He said,'I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.' 

I wonder how many times I amaze God this way?  How many times do I read His promises, hear His Word preached, see His hand in my life and in the lives of others, and choose to trust and believe?   How often do I quickly and willingly obey when He instructs me to surrender a stronghold in my life? How often do I hold something loosely in my hands, trusting Him to remove anything I do not need and replace it with every good and perfect gift?  Is God amazed at my faith?

I want to amaze God with my faith.  Let's be AMAZING together!