When things don’t turn out as we expected or when we needed/wanted them, we often rush to say: “why me Lord”, or “where is God” or “is God listening or hearing my prayer?” etc. The little we know, God delays certain things for His Glory and our own good. In John 11, we hear a story of Lazarus, a very good friend of Jesus. One day Lazarus got extremely sick. His sisters Martha and Maria, both knew Jesus’ miracles of healing the sick and raising the dead etc.

“3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it. 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.” (John 11: 3-6 ESV). I highly encourage you to listen to this full sermon (The Disappointed) at: http://sermons.summitrdu.com/

When I read this I wonder why didn’t Jesus rush over to Lazarus’ house. Wasn’t he capable of healing? Didn’t hear or care for Lazarus? The answer to all this is that God comes within His timing, not our own time. Eventually Lazarus died, and Jesus arrived 4 days later. When the sisters saw Jesus, they started reminding him that if he was around, their brother wouldn’t have died. Eventually Jesus raised Lazarus after 4 days in the tomb, opposing to healing him when he was sick.

We often blame God for our misfortune. This causes us sometime to underestimate the power of God. There are so many things that I wonder where God was/is because it’s beyond my imagination. I often ask God why innocent people get killed for no reason and many more things. The truth is that the human nature is selfishness and wanting everything to go our way. Since the sin’s curse is death and on us from day 1 we enter the world because of Adam & Eve’s sin in the Eden Garden, we are sinners by default. In other words, we would have deserved everything that happens to us if Jesus didn’t take all the blame, death, sin and nail it on the cross.  Isaiah 53:4-5 (ESV)  states it very well: “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. ⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Thank God for His unconditional & unfailing love. Remember that everything happens to you for a reason.  God is filled with compassion. He cares for the hurting and oppressed, He knows our intentions. The bible tells us to seek the kingdom of God and righteousness, for the rest rest will be added for us. I pray that you find an encouragement in the below verse.

The Righteous Will Never Be Moved (Psalms 112: 1-9 ESV)

“For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17 (NLT)

The Old Testament clearly shows examples on what had to be done if one committed a crime: the golden rule was “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth”. This was the law. The person who shed blood would likely to be killed; adultery was punished by the death sentence through stoning. Or to be forgiven sins, one had to kill an animal as a sacrifice, bring it to the high priest who, in return, would enter the Most Holy Place, once a year. This priest would then offer blood for his own sins and for the sins people had committed in ignorance. What a hassle? Waiting for a year to be forgiven for sins!!!

The symbol for the shed blood that brought forgiveness was completed through Jesus, who became a sacrifice for once and for all to complete the law. Aren’t you glad you no longer need to kill anything to be pardoned?

“Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people; so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant” Hebrews 9:13-15 (NLT).

“There is nothing we can do to make God love us any more, and nothing we ever do will cause Him to love us any less” (Pastor J.D. Grear). His love is unconditional; all we have to do is say “yes Lord, have your way.” He accepts you just the way you are: it’s not how many people you help per day, or how many times you pray, read His word, give, or how eloquent you are at educating people. In fact, God favors repented and obedient hearts. “You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” Psalms 51:16-17 (NLT)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV).

Jesus is the author of salvation. With him, we will not die. Death itself could not contain him. Therefore, death and hell have lost their stings, for the wrath of God was satisfied by Jesus ‘death on the cross in our place. This is my song; this is the truth and hope for the mankind.

God bless you