Hello again, It has been a while – let’s start with a prayer this time:
“God, I pray that whoever is reading this blog may receive the revelation that you have for their lives. Let your Holy Spirit speak to their souls and that your truth may be their truth” Amen.
John 11: 39 – 41
Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. (RSV)
Today’s mediation is from the gospel of John chapter 11. The passage is about Jesus’ friends from Bethany: Lazarus, Martha and Mary (they were siblings). While Jesus was out of the city, his friend Lazarus got sick. Martha & Mary sent for Jesus to heal Lazarus, but Jesus stayed away a bit too long, and Lazarus died!
Doesn’t that sound familiar?
The provision is taking a bit long and now you are already overwhelmed with anxiety!
The promotion is taking a bit too long and now you are filled with discouragement!
Or, you haven’t met your spouse and now you are filled with disappointment!
You lost your dear ones and now life feels slightly empty!
Martha and Mary were also there! The Bible says in John 11 verse 22 that Martha and Mary told Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died”. Life is full of challenges, heartbreaks and pain. Sometimes the trouble and sin already have an odor. Everyone around you can feel your anxiety, see your depression and loneliness. But Jesus is saying to you today I am not disturbed by the smell and how far you are!
The truth is that Jesus has and is always there even when we feel like He is far away. The Bible says He is the resurrection and the life, he who believes in Him though he dies yet shall he live (John 11:25). If you can only believe in Christ, you will see the glory of God in your life.
Martha acted in faith even though she still had to experience the odor of a 4 day dead body, she saw the glory of God because she believed!
Do you believe that Jesus is with you? That He hears and sees your circumstances? Well He does! I encourage you to pray like Jesus did today:
“Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me…” (John 11:41-42)
