Trusting The Truth

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judea again.’”  – John 11:5-7

You know the story about Lazarus, Jesus' friend.  The story is in John chapter 11.  Jesus was friends with Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus.  It seems while Jesus was ministering some distance away from his friends, Lazarus became sick.  Mary and Martha got word to Jesus.  They knew that Jesus was able to heal the sick, cast out demons … But when Jesus was told about Lazarus He did not go right away … in fact He waited … waited until Lazarus died. 

 Can you imagine the confusion and disappointment when Jesus did not show up to help Lazarus.  Jesus helped absolute strangers, people He had never met before …. but when His very close friend was sick and dying, He did nothing. Why?  Both Mary and Martha told Jesus that if He had come “in time” Lazarus would have been healed and would not have died.  This is what Jesus said about Lazarus.

“When Jesus heard that, He said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’” – John 11:4

But from the world's perspective, Lazarus did die and he was buried. Have there been times in your life when you expected God to show up and He did not, causing you to wonder and maybe even doubt?  Perhaps your experience wasn’t like King Hezekiah’s where God intervened in a mighty way immediately, but it was more like Lazarus.  You wanted to know where God was.  Why didn’t He come when you most needed Him?  Why didn’t He come in time.  Why didn't He do what you wanted him to do - if He was really God. The truth of the matter is that God is always on time.  He always does the right thing.  We may not think so .. it may not feel like it … But it is true …

This is the Truth.  God is sovereign in all things.  Just because you don’t understand what is going on .. or think that things should go another way does not change that Truth.  For Lazarus there was a bigger purpose . .a God glorifying purpose in Jesus waiting for Lazarus’ death.  Do you remember what happened?    Jesus came after Lazarus was buried in a tomb. Lazarus’ sisters didn’t want him to die .. they wanted Jesus to do something .. but he died … now it was too late … But it is never too late for God … do you believe that?  It is never too late for God …

This is the same God that spoke and the planets and stars were made.  The same God that formed man out of dust and breathed life into him.  The same God that knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb …

So What did Jesus do?  He did what man could not believe was possible.  The sisters said, Jesus you are too late.  Jesus said roll away the stone .. the people said Lazarus has been dead 4 days .. the body will smell

And what happened … Lazarus came out of the tomb … that was not supposed to happen .. the people had already decided that it was impossible … Have you ever done that?  Decided that it is too late .. that it is impossible .. that things won’t ever change?  That all is lost? That not even God can help you now? 

King Hezekiah turned to God when he faced a hopeless situation.  People were trying to convince him that all was lost.  But he did not give up hope in his God.  Mary and Martha believed the Jesus had let them down .. had somehow failed … that their hopelessly impossible situation was even impossible for Jesus. But then the impossible happened … God was glorified in both stories … the people understood that God had intervened … and had done what no man could do …

So what about your life?  Are you willing to trust God even in the most difficult moments of your life?  When it feels like God has forgotten you or forsaken you?  Are you willing to be used for God’s bigger purpose.  A purpose  that goes beyond your comfort, maybe your physical health?  Are you willing for God to be glorified through your life and your troubles?  To do that requires trust and obedience … you must live for God and not yourself.

Proverbs 3 verses 5 and 6 says, Trust God and don’t trust yourself.  God is the source of all truth .. God is faithful .. God is able … God can do anything … God loves you …

You ….  must trust God and live in obedience to the truth.  Do not believe the lie that it does not matter how you live.  God said “be holy because I am holy”  Don’t think you can live anyway you want and then when trouble comes ask God for help.  Your heart must be right before God. 

You must repent of your sins and turn to God.  Maybe you have been living for yourself.  Doing anything that you wanted, anything that felt good, and now you have troubles in your life.  Repent today. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone