(John 11:25-28 NIV) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.”
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. Yesterday we saw how Jesus basically told Martha that He was ready and able to do something about her brother’s situation, but it went right over her head. Although she was saying religious sounding words, they were not backed by belief or faith. What Lazarus needed was a resurrection. Jesus told Martha that He was the resurrection and the life. He was ‘resurrection’ in the flesh. What she needed for her brother was standing right before her. Jesus even asked her, “Do you believe this?” In other words, “Do you believe me?” But look at how she replied. She said, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” That’s not what He said! It is obvious that Jesus and Martha were not on the same wavelength.
So after seeing that He was getting nowhere with Martha, Jesus asked to speak to Mary. After all, Mary was a worshipper. Even if Mary did not come to Him with faith-filled words, at least she might come to Him in worship. Jesus was ready, willing, and able to resurrect Lazarus, He was just looking for a trigger on the part of the sisters. One sister had come and failed. Even after repeated attempts by Jesus to explain to her who He really was and what He was capable of doing, she had missed Him altogether. One sister down, one more to go. Mary was coming and she would have her chance with Jesus. As we look at what Mary did, seek to observe the differences between the two sisters. Mary said things very similar to her sister, but it was HOW she said them that made the difference. It was her posture, her position, her worship. Mary came to Jesus in a different way and she received completely different results.
Have you ever been there? Have you ever been somewhere where God is moving mightily, where people are getting healed, where you can visibly see others getting their breakthrough, but then some seemingly receive nothing? The writer of Hebrews tells us that two people (or two sets of people) can hear the same message, but the message heard will only impact those that receive it and mix it with faith (Heb 4:2). That’s how you can be at the same place, at the same time, hear the same Word, by the same person, and still miss what God wanted to do in your life, even though others received their blessing. In that case the problem is not on the part of the transmitter, but rather the receiver.
That’s why I believe this series is so important. When you develop a fighting spirit and you determine that you will never give up on what you are believing God for, no matter how long it takes, then not only will God eventually honor your faith, but while you wait your disposition will be positive and productive. But if you fail to develop a fighting spirit and you give up at the first sign of opposition, then you will rarely see the promises of God manifested in your and while you are saved from hell, you will be miserably saved as you endure life. Sure, the Father wants you to go to heaven, but He also wants you to enjoy (not endure) the ride!
So what does this mean to you today? It simply means that maintaining your faith and patience, along with your joy and peace, will keep you in a position and posture to hear and receive from God, while you wait on the manifestation of the promise. Make no mistake, how you will can impact how long you wait. Allowing frustration to set in will hinder your ability to receive and it might cause you to miss God altogether.
Closing Confession: Father, I declare, by faith, that I resist fear, doubt, worry, unbelief, and frustration. I will not allow an internal uneasiness to keep me from Your best. I declare that I maintain my faith and patience, along with my joy and peace, while I believe You, while I walk with You, and while I expect You to do what You have promised me. I develop a fighting spirit and it enables me to be in a position and posture to hear, believe, receive, and walk in Your best. Speak Lord, your servant is listening! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
