Unworthy

I find the incident of the centurion in Luke 7 both intriguing and instructive. What intrigues me is: what caused the change in his approach to Jesus? It began with some Jewish leaders coming to our Lord and saying, "This guy has been good to the Jewish people, he deserves your help. He's earned it." It changed to the centurion saying in essence, "I'm not worthy of your help. But I ask for it for my servant. Personally, I could never earn it." First, Jesus was going to help either way. But the change in the centurion's faith brought a commendation from our Savior: "I have not encountered such faith before!." Perhaps that's the essence of deep faith--the realization that what we are asking our God to do for us, we are unworthy to receive. But He has urged us to come to Him in time of need and so we come asking because of what we know Him to be: not just able to help, but willing--eager to help. The God of grace and mercy. Too often, I have the attitude that I deserve what I'm asking of Him. He owes me. Too often, my prayers are just me complaining with my eyes shut. "Lord, do this for me. I've earned it!" Shallow, prideful faith. May the Spirit build within me a commendable faith: "Lord, I come resting in your grace and mercy. Unworthy, but in need of the help that only You can give, I come before Your throne because You have urged me to come in time of need. I am helpless without Your compassionate heart."