2231 Even Now — Кассета

Some bad things happen for good purposes. Some of the hardest of things become the sweetest of things when God’s full purposes are revealed. Is everything that ever happens to you from God? No – remember we have an arch enemy in this world who’s sole purpose is to separate us from the love of the Father in absolutely any way possible. Satan will never take God’s love from you because we’re promised nothing can ever make God stop loving you – however we can allow the things that happen in life to dampen our love for God. We can become so busy, so distracted, so disillusioned that we stop loving God, but he never stops loving us. These hard things in life sometimes come as an attack from the pits of Hell, however God has a unique way of taking the very things intended to harm us and turn them around to be used as a tool for his goodness. Could it be possible that even this very thing that you’re going through right now was intended for harm by Satan, carried out through his demons on attack – but God is turning it all around for eternally good purposes? Could this darkness help you truly see the light? Speaking from experience, when life knocks you down, it’s easier to find your knees. When nothing else is helping, you begin crying out to the One who can truly help. This is where Mary and Martha were. They were desperate, crying out for the help of Jesus. Their brother Lazarus was sick, like really sick. Now, get this – Jesus received the message of Lazarus’ sickness, and while Jesus cared deeply about Lazarus and personally loved this family, he delayed going. He waited. And as Jesus waited to go, Lazarus got worse. Why would God just allow things to get worse? He holds the divine power to change everything in an instant, to make everything better, to stop every attack of Satan, and yet sometimes he waits. Maybe your calls for help feel like they keep getting a busy signal. You’re sending SOS texts and seemingly left on read. He heard you, but he didn’t reply. He could come, but he’s not. Why would God do that? We’re actually not left to wonder. Jesus himself tells us exactly what’s happening. John 11: 4-5, “‘Lazarus’ sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.’ So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next 2 days.” The love of Jesus actually kept him from going to them immediately when they asked for his help. His love allowed things to actually get worse. Jesus waits for 2 days, then he begins his journey to them. And during this time, Lazarus dies. His family has had the funeral. They have gone through the ceremonies, they’ve put his body in a grave, they’ve mourned and wondered why Jesus didn’t come. Mary and Martha knew of Jesus’ miracle working power. They knew he was truly the son of God. They knew Lazarus’ sickness could be healed with one touch, one word from Jesus. But he didn’t come. And let’s be clear. Jesus KNEW Lazarus had died. He was not surprised. He wasn’t expecting his body to hold on a little while longer. Jesus says to his disciples in verses 11-12, “‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.’ The disciples said, ‘Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!'” Now look look at this clarifying side note in verse 13, “They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus HAD DIED.” Jesus knew this sickness was serious. He knew it would kill Lazarus. He knew his body would survive. He knew every detail of what was happening – all while he held all the power to stop it or change it. By not stopping it, Jesus knew a greater miracle would be revealed. The greater miracle is NOW THEY WOULD REALLY BELIEVE. He was going to show them something miraculous they couldn’t deny. Jesus shows up on the scene, 4 days after the funeral and burial of Lazarus.