(John 11:17-20 NIV) On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Faith and Patience VOL III – Never Give Up!” by continuing with the story of Mary and Martha. After remaining where He was for two days Jesus finally decided to head out to Bethany to see Mary and Martha and to do something about Lazarus dead situation. Remember, no matter what this situation looked like, Jesus had already made two declarations. He had said: “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it,” and “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” Now, we know that Jesus was no liar. So no matter how dead the situation seemed it was not too dead for God. The hard is that the sisters were unaware of Jesus’ declarations and they had give up hope. When Lazarus stopped breathing they stopped believing.
When Jesus arrived on the scene Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Think about that for a moment. The average believer can maintain their hope while the situation looks hopeful, but when happens when your situation shifts from the hopeful category to the hopeless category? Most people stop believing when their situation seems hopeless. Most believers throw in the towel of their faith when their breakthrough does not come when they wanted it. Some say things like, “Well, I guess God did not want me to have it.” But what if He did? What if He was not through? What if He was stilling working? What if He had a plan, but His timing did not line up with your timing? What if you give up on God BEFORE He had given up on the situation?
Some of you are thinking, “But Rick, it was four days. The body was already decomposing.” I know that, you know that, the sisters knew that, and Jesus knew it too; but what is TOO HARD for God? Is there anything God cannot do? Can your situation ever get TOO DEAD for God not to be able to resurrect it? Can your dream die to the point that God can’t bring it to life?
Lazarus had been dead for four days. Many family and friends had come to comfort the sisters in the loss of their brother. Many tears had been shed. Many soul-searching questions had been asked. I am sure questions were still flowing through their heads when Jesus arrived. Even while Martha went out to meet Him I am sure she was thinking, “Why are you here now? Why had you not come earlier? You have healed so many people, why did you not heal my brother? I thought you loved us. I thought you cared.” We will stop here for today.
So what does this mean to you today? It simply means that there are no impossibilities in God. There is absolutely nothing too hard for God. There is nothing that God can’t do. There is no situation that exceeds His ability. There is no problem that can outrun the length of His arms. We will see that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and if He can take a person who had been dead for four days and raise Him to life, then I am sure He can turn your seemingly hopeless situation around. Mary and Martha had stopped believing when Lazarus stopped breathing. Don’t make the same mistake they did. Hold on to your faith, no matter what the situation looks like, and don’t give up! DON’T STOP BELIEVING!
Closing Confession: Father, I know You are the God of No Limits. There is nothing too hard for You. My petition is a small thing to You. It might seem big to me, but it is not big to You. So I ask You, in faith, to move in my life in this situation. I ask You to get involved. One Word from You can turn it around in an instant. So I keep my expectation up, I keep my faith switch in the “ON” position, and I keep on believing, no matter how long it takes, and not matter how hard it gets, because my faith is rooted and grounded in Your love. You love me just as I am, but You also love me too much to leave me this way. By Your grace I believe You do what You are leading me to believe You will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
