The Daily Fountain Devotional Friday, March 18, 2022
The Daily Fountain Devotional Friday, March 18, 2022
Friday, March 18, 2022
TOPIC: DELAY IS NEVER DENIAL
TEXT: John 11:1-17
1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. 4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. 7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. 8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? 9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. 16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. 17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
The Daily Fountain Devotional Friday, March 18, 2022
INTRODUCTION TEXT
The text today tells us the story of Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. It further describes that Jesus loved all three of them. Unfortunately, He received news that Lazarus was sick. However, Jesus deliberately stayed two days more and we learn that Lazarus eventually 'slept' (v. 11). It was at that point Jesus now decided to go visit Lazarus to wake him up. One would wonder why Jesus would deliberately stay back two extra days knowing that Lazarus would die. Jesus' response when He got the news gives us an assurance, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God... "Though He delayed two days, Jesus was going to turn that terrible situation to the glory of God.
As Christians, we often feel God is not quick to answer some prayers. We easily look for other alternatives if God does not respond immediately. We forget that God can turn every situation around to glorify His name and to bring us more blessings. We should continually hold on to God's unchanging grace, even when things seem so bad. He will surely use you to glorify His name to those around you.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I rest on your unchanging grace, help me to keep looking unto you in every situation as the author and finisher of my faith. Amen.