Read John 11
This morning we continue our series entitled, “The Year of Supernatural Manifestation”, with our mini-series on “The Miracles of Jesus.” We have been studying the miracle of Lazarus for about a month now. Today I will begin to close out this miracle and soon I will close out the entire series. So with that, let’s back back to the story of Lazarus.
We have walked through the entire Lazarus account. It started off with Jesus receiving word that Lazarus was sick. The first thing Jesus said about the situation was, “This sickness will not end in death, No it is for God’s glory that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Lazarus did die along the course of the story, but as we saw, the situation did not end in death (just like Jesus said). In the end, this tremendous miracle served as evidence to many that Jesus was in fact the Messiah. As a result of this miracle, many put their faith in Jesus. Jesus’ statement that this sickness was going to be used for God’s glory, came to pass. God did get the glory and the Good Shepherd received new sheep because of it. But we also have to remember that for all the good that came out of it, and all the glory God received through it, there was a family in the middle of the story that had to go through a tremendously painful ordeal. Lazarus had to experience sickness and eventual death for four days. Mary and Martha had to experience the loss of the their brother and the hurt in knowing that Jesus had received word, but that He had not yet arrived. An entire household was basically turned upside-down and they had to experience real pain in the process of God being glorified. I think this is an often overlooked part of the story.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- Being a Christian does not mean that you will never face challenges. It may mean that you face more than you ever imagined. Because once you make a decision to live out your divine purpose, there will be a spiritual target on your back. The difference is that when you start living life WITH God’s grace, you will do more than you ever imagined. Because it won’t be you doing it. It will be the Father, living IN you. He will give you the words, He will perform the work, and He will enable you to overcome every challenge along the way!
- God never promised you a perpetual picnic. Life is not supposed to be a walk through the roses. Life is about making Kingdom impact in this world. It’s about leaving a mark in the earth that will not easily be erased. It’s about completing your divine assignment before you die. You are not going to make impact without overcoming opposition.
- Sometimes bad things happen to good people. I wish I could tell you that once you are Born-Again, that nothing bad will ever happen to you again. But if I did, I would be lying. Being covered by the blood of Jesus does not mean you are exonerated from bad things. It just means that you will overcome every bad things that comes your way. The attack will come, it just won’t succeed.
- Whenever you face a situation that is bigger than your capacity to handle, get God involved through prayer. God can do what you can’t do. Where human ability ends, God’s supernatural ability kicks in.
- God already knows. When you pray, remember that you are not sending breaking news to God, like a reporter on the front lines. He knows everything that has and will ever happen to you. It may have been a surprise to you, but find peace in knowing that it was NOT a surprise to God.
- Vision gives pain a purpose. When you know what you are called to do, and you are pursuing your divine purpose, you have divine clarity while you are going through painful situations. If God permitted it, and He is seeking to get glory from it, then there is purpose wrapped up in the pain.
I will stop here for today. I have a few more to give you on Monday.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I thank You for this series. I am developing my capacity to remain in faith, no matter how hard situations get. Your Word says that those who trust in You shall be like Mount Zion. One thing I know about Mount Zion is that it will not be moved. I shall remain steadfast, unmovable, and steady, all the days of my life. I shall stand in faith, without wavering, trusting You every step of the way. When faced with a difficult situation, I remind myself that my state is not my fate. I stand in faith… having done all I stand, and when I get tired, I resolve to continue to stand. I am determined to see Your best manifested in my life. I shall not lose, because I refuse to quit! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
