August 9: Jeremiah 3-4; John 11

Scripture: John 11:32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Observation: Because I know the end of the story, I can say, “But Mary, if the Lord had healed Lazarus, he would not later had the opportunity to raise him from the dead!”

“Lord, if you … ” I wonder how many times the Lord hears questions that start with those words. We often have it all figured out. All we have to do is get the Lord to do “his” part. And when He does not do “his” part, we have questions.

Questions like these come before the story is over; the Lord knows the end of the story. He sees our circumstances from heaven’s point of view. Jesus had healed many people. Now the resurrection of Lazarus would be the key to turning many to believe in Jesus, which then motivated the religious leaders to desire His death. (Note verses 45-48) His death is accepted as the payment for my sin and His resurrection proved that even in death, He had the power to rise again!

Application: I can trust the Lord to see a bigger picture. I wonder how many problems have been averted for me because the Lord did not do it my way.

Prayer: Lord, I can trust you even when you do not do it the way I think you should. You do know what is best. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!