by Keith Robinson
Matthew 8:2-3 - And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Several months ago, at the beginning of COVID-19 someone posted a sign on Pellissippi Parkway that simply said, “It’s going to be Ok.” I found myself passing the sign several times as I made my way back from Knoxville to Oak Ridge. It was a simple, white, yard sign with bold black print that packed a powerful message, “It’s going to be Ok.”
I was amazed that a simple message could change my day! It made me feel lighter, more confident, less stressed, optimistic, and even boosted my faith at times! It reminded me of other occasions in my life when a simple written or verbalized word spoke to me. A note on my paper from a school teacher, “Great Job!” or the word, “Excellent!” could make a cloudy day bright! Sometimes it’s a simple positive response that reminds us, “It’s going to be Ok.” I suspect we all need to hear those words.
I thought about all the times the Lord has said, “It’s going to be Ok.” When man sinned in the Garden, He said, “I’ll bruise the heel of the serpent.” He was saying that I’ve got a plan to redeem mankind, “It’s going to be Ok.” When he repented he had made man because of they’re sinfulness, he flooded the earth. Noah and his family would have had PTSD but the Lord gave a rainbow that basically said, “It’s going to be Ok.” Four hundred years without prophetic word between the Old Testament and New Testament...silence...then God sends His Son and calls His name Emmanuel, “God with us.” If God is with us, then “It’s going to be Ok.”
The Lord’s message to the woman caught in adultery, “Sin no more.” The woman at the well, “You’ll not thirst again.” Zacchaeus, “Let’s do lunch.” The woman with the issue of blood, “Your faith has made you whole.” The wedding at Cana, “Fill pots.” To Lazarus, he said, “Come forth.” To the Leper, he said, “Be clean.” You get the point! The message is the same for every pilgrim truly seeking God regardless of the circumstance, “It’s going to be Ok.”
The Leper asked the question “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.
I know you all ready know this - but just in case you’re wondering about your circumstances - the Lord is willing! It’s going to be Ok!
If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 7 & Psalm 107:1-9.