The Death and Resurrection of Lazarus
John 11:1-44 (paraphrasing some of the scripture).
Lazarus, Mary, and Martha were siblings and friends of Jesus. Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick.
4 When Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness will not end in death; but [on the contrary it is] for the glory and honor of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it. (The Amplified Bible. Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com. Accessed April 21, 2021.)
By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus was dead. On separate occasions, both Mary and Martha stated to Jesus that if he had been there their brother would not have died.
40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe [in Me], you will see the glory of God [the expression of His excellence]?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised His eyes [toward heaven] and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 I knew that You always hear Me and listen to Me; but I have said this because of the people standing around, so that they may believe that You have sent Me [and that You have made Me Your representative].” 43 When He had said this, He shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 Out came the man who had been dead, his hands and feet tightly wrapped in burial cloths (linen strips), and with a [burial] cloth wrapped around his face. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and release him.” (The Amplified Bible. Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com. Accessed April 21,2021.)
During the COVID-19 pandemic the United States Government replied to the devastation felt throughout the country with stimulus checks. If you were an electronic tax filer, the check would be sent to the banking information on your tax return. The bad news for me was that my check was being routed to a closed account. My bank merged with two other banks resulting in a new bank and account number for me.
Immediately calling my new bank, I was told that the check would return to the Government, and I would receive a letter explaining the next step of my process. The first round of stimulus checks dispersed, and I did not receive a check. A second round of stimulus checks dispersed, and I did not receive a check. Later receiving a notice that if I had not received a check in the second round, I could file it on my tax return. But I felt in my Spirit “a check in the mail” and I shrugged it off as wishful thinking. A third and final round of stimulus checks dispersed and once again I did not receive a check. Once again, I felt in my Spirit “a check in the mail”, and I shrugged it off as wishful thinking. Convinced that I would file the stimulus check amount on my taxes; I gave it no more thought.
About three weeks later there was a check in the mail. The feeling of conviction tugged in my Spirit. The Holy Spirit then reminded me that regardless of how things may look I need to focus on what God says. Wait on it! Do not be swayed by what my eyes see but rely on what has been revealed. The Holy Spirit also brought back to my remembrance other things not received. Things that I disregarded as wishful thinking.
The death and resurrection of Lazarus seems like a far stretch of faith from that of a stimulus check, but is it? If we have no faith and patience for small requests, how could we have faith and patience for large requests? The enemy of our soul has used the concept of delay to destroy the hope of many Christians. Weakening our faith and preventing us from walking into swift victory.
Sorrowfully I confessed that God’s word will not return to me void and His promises stand the test of time. Repenting and requesting patience while waiting expectantly for the promises of God. Then the conviction lifted, peace was restored, and I went to the bank to deposit my check.
Categories: Journey
Trust in Him, Him only and he will deliver.
Amen