This morning, we continue our series, “The Miracles of Jesus.” Before we get into the miracle, let’s look at the foundational scripture I will share with you all year.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us. I pray you get refreshed and restored as we study each miracle.
Read John 11
We have been through this miracle several times now. I have been giving you lessons we can glean from it. We will continue today.
So what does this mean for you today? A few things.
1. God’s ways are higher than our ways.
— The disciples, Mary, Martha, and the mourners had their ideas of what Jesus should do. When He did not show up when they wanted and did not do what they expected, they gave up on God. We can learn from this. This is a reminder that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). His when, how, and what may not always be what we expect, but we must remember that God is still God, and He knows what He is doing!
— God’s plans are perfect, and He wants things to work out for our ultimate good.
— To walk with God effectively, there will be moments when you have to remind yourself that God’s ways are above your ways so that you can shift your perspective. When we face trials and tribulations, our human perspective limits our understanding. We see things from ground level, boxed in by time and space. On the other hand, God views everything from an eternal perspective. He sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). He knows every detail of our lives, and His plans incorporate our past, present, and future.
— We should remind ourselves that God’s plans are comprehensive. Jesus knew exactly what He was going to do, how and when He was going to do it. We may have a specific expectation of how God should work in our situations. But God, in His infinite wisdom, has a comprehensive plan that often surpasses our narrow expectations. His plan isn’t just about solving one problem; it’s about transforming our lives and character, impacting those around us, and glorifying His name. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus just wanted Jesus to provide another quick healing. But God’s plans were much bigger. This was the last and ultimate miracle Jesus performed. So there was a lot more to it. Sometimes God is not moving as fast as we want because He is working on something more significant than we expect.
— God’s wisdom is unfathomable to our finite minds. Our human wisdom is profoundly limited. However, God’s wisdom is boundless. It’s beyond our comprehension. It’s almost impossible for us, as humans, to wrap our tiny minds around the fact that God knows everything there ever was and everything there ever will be, all at the same time. God’s mind is like the movie title, “Everything Everywhere All at Once!” God has perfect wisdom in every situation and perfect knowledge of everything.
Paul said, “For now we see but a faint reflection of riddles and mysteries as though reflected in a mirror, but one day we will see face-to-face. My understanding is incomplete now, but one day I will understand everything, just as everything about me has been fully understood” (1 Corinthians 13:12 TPT). The best we can do, as humans, is to understand a small part of God’s heart. But one day, when we are in heaven, we will be able to see Him face to face. At that point, we will understand, just as Paul says, we are being fully understood by God.
This leads me to my second point for today.
2. Trust God’s plan, even when you don’t understand what He is doing.
Mary and Martha didn’t understand why Jesus didn’t come sooner to heal their brother. However, Jesus had a greater plan in mind. When you face difficult situations, trust that God has a purpose and a plan, even if you can’t see it yet.
— There is a level of mystery to walking with God. If you are the type of person who needs to know everything and wants all the answers upfront before you make a decision, you will have a hard time walking with God. God will not give you all the answers upfront. If He did, you would not require faith. Faith is necessary to walk with God because God will not tell you everything when you want to know it.
— As you walk with God and attempt to live by faith, there will be times when you have NO CLUE what to do. In those times, the Holy Spirit will lead us to NOT to give up and to simply trust God. When it is all said and done, God’s plans will prevail and be good.
— To experience what God has called you to accomplish on earth, you must get comfortable with uncertainty. When you break away from the certainty of what you know, you open yourself up to the certainty of what God has planned!
— Embrace the uncertainty. Walking with God often means stepping into the unknown. It’s about leaving the comfort of predictability and embracing the adventure of faith. You won’t always know what’s next, but you know who’s leading you – and He is faithful.
— Living by faith means you must often choose faith over understanding. When we rely on our knowledge, we limit ourselves to human reasoning. However, we tap into divine wisdom when we lean on our faith. Faith means trusting God even when the path ahead seems uncertain or the outcome unclear. We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
— Living by faith is exciting. Enjoy the adventures of faith! It’s a thrilling journey filled with unexpected blessings, miracles, and breakthroughs. It’s a journey that deepens our relationship with God, strengthens our faith, and transforms us into the people God created us to be.
— The more you live by faith and experience God coming through for you repeatedly, the more you will learn to trust Him wholeheartedly. When you do, Godly trust will usher you into Godly peace. There’s a peace that comes from trusting God’s plan. It’s a peace that transcends understanding. It guards our hearts and minds even when we’re in the midst of uncertainty (Philippians 4:7). When we trust in Him, we can rest in His promises, knowing that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).
— When I don’t know what to do and I don’t have a clue what God is up to, I can find peace in knowing that God loves me. Since I know God loves me, I know He has my best interest at heart, so while I may not understand what He is doing, I know whatever it is, IT IS GOING TO BE GOOD! Knowing this, I refuse to give up, and I develop the courage to keep going.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me!
I live by faith. This means I literally live by every Word You reveal to me.
I base my decisions on what You say, even when I cannot validate what You said with my physical senses.
I live beyond the natural. The supernatural is now natural to me. Living this way, I grow comfortable with a certain level of discomfort and mystery.
When I don’t know what to do, I keep my eyes on You!
I trust You, even when I don’t know what is going on. In the end, I know it shall be GOOD!
Your ways are above my ways. Your thoughts are above my thoughts. Your plans are better than mine. Therefore, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
