John 11:38-40 -- Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 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.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”
Lord, thank You for this day and for the opportunity to walk with You in it. May You be honored and glorified in it. I ask for wisdom and guidance as I return to work today, that I may glorify You in all I do. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Yesterday on our journey in John chapter eleven we found Jesus doing far more than just weeping. We find He goes through a deep emotional process that led to Him weeping. Today we see He once again is "deeply moved" as he goes to Lazarus' tomb.
Jesus gives the command to take away the stone. That command is met with a response from Martha based on her understanding.
It is highlighted to me that Martha's understanding of the body stinking after four days is absolutely correct. She wasn't wrong in thinking or speaking this. However, there was one thing Martha overlooked and it's something many Christians can struggle with. She overlooked the fact that Jesus was there and not only COULD do a miracle but WOULD do one.
Martha knew Jesus. Her and her family had a relationship with Him. He loved her and her family. She's already said in this chapter He can do miracles and heal people. She's already recognized Him as Lord, Son of God, The Teacher. She believed Jesus when He told her "I am the resurrection and the life". She was obedient to get Mary as directed. So, this wasn't an issue of knowing or believing in Jesus or what He could do. It was letting the very real circumstances override the fact God was with her in this situation.
Christian, do you find it easier to believe for and pray over other people's circumstances, while struggling to believe or realize He is right there with you in your circumstances as well? Maybe you don't struggle with this, but I know I have. It's easy to let the very real circumstances of our storms obscure our view of just how mighty and awesome our God is.
Martha had no issue believing in Jesus, recognizing who He was, what He had done and could do. Martha had simply let the logical and very real circumstances of the situation obscure the fact Jesus, the Son of God, the Way, the Truth, the Life was standing right there with her.
Beloved, never let the storms or circumstances, no matter how dire, how terrifying, how far gone, how dead, how rotted, obscure the fact God is right there with you in the midst of it all. That is why it is so urgently important that you make Him a priority each day in prayer, in His Word, in worship, and serving Him. You won't trust a stranger or someone you just know of, so don't let Him be a stranger or someone you just know of. Run to Him. Talk to Him. Listen to Him. Follow Him.
Don't take my word on anything, please I beg you, get into your bible and let God show you directly!
You are loved. You are prayed over. You are not alone.
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