TRUST YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES TO JESUS

SCRIPTURE:

“Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time, there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” (John 11:38—44_

OBSERVATION:

The death of a loved one is not easy to accept right away. It takes time to deal with the emotions and the memories of the relationship with that individual. Let alone it takes some time to be healed and ready to accept the fact that the person will not be there anymore. Martha and Mary lost a beloved brother Lazarus. Jesus was notified, and he came. Jesus loves Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. They were dear friends to him. But Martha and Mary, through their emotional trauma, doubted Jesus. In fact, they complain to Jesus that Lazarus would not have died had Jesus responded right away.

When Jesus heard of Lazarus’ sickness, he said, THIS SICKNESS WILL NOT END IN DEATH. NO, IT IS FOR GOD’S GLORY, SO GOD’S SON MAY BE GLORIFIED THROUGH IT. So, when he heard of Lazarus’ sickness, Jesus stayed where he was for two more days. These are some things I am reminded of from Jesus’ response to the news of Lazarus’ sickness.

• Jesus will allow things to happen in our life for his purpose. Some things happened to us because we chose to ignore the Holy Spirit’s warning. Other things happened for our testings, and through it all, Jesus knows the trials and challenges that he will allow in my life for his purpose.

• Jesus stayed two more days where he was when he heard the news. Jesus does not move by circumstances. He moves circumstances for his purpose. It is not possible for circumstances to force Jesus to react at its bidding. Jesus always moves in a God-glorifying time.

• Jesus is deeply moved by what happens to us.

• Jesus wants us to SEE the glory of God in our circumstances. The circumstances for Martha and Mary were terrible. Lazarus has been buried for four days and is already supposed to be decaying. But Jesus works in time and out of time. Jesus told them to take away the stone. But they feared Lazarus was already decomposed and smelly.

• Jesus does every miracle for the glory of God and for man to see the power of God. It is not necessarily for our sake.

• Jesus said to move the stone. So, they took away the stone. Jesus always desires that I be a part of the solution to God’s miracle in my life. I am the one who must move the stone of unbelief. I am the one who must deal with unforgiveness or whatever stone is preventing me from receiving the life of Jesus.

• Jesus also told the people to TAKE OFF GRAVE CLOTHES AND LET HIM GO. It is my responsibility to remove my own grave clothes and be free. Jesus has already called Lazarus, and he came forth. The rest is for me to do. If I desire to be free, I must be willing to let go of my grave clothes or the things of the past that have sealed me in the grave.

My new life in Christ is my responsibility to do my part to be free. Even though Jesus has already set me free, it is my responsibility to be free and to choose to be free. Christ has already set me free, but I must choose to remain free in him.

APPLICATION:

Jesus reminded me today that even if he has already set me free, I can only be accessible by choosing what Christ has already done for me. I am learning to see that Jesus often allows circumstances in my life for me to experience the glory of God and see how He works out everything for his glory and for my good. I always want to understand that God is for me, and whatever he allows in my life will be for his glory and my good.

PRAYER:

Jesus, help me see that everything you allow to happen in my life is for your glory and my good. Give me the eyes to see your purpose in my circumstances. Help me know that you always know when to answer and intervene in my situations. Please open my eyes to see your glory in every challenge that I face in life. I look to you daily. Amen!