So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days. (John 11:5-6)
Read: 2 Kings 23:29-30, 2 Chronicles 35:20-27, Jeremiah 47:1 – 48:47, Zephaniah 2:8 – 3:20
Relate: “Help is not always helpful.” I am sure he wasn’t the only one to ever say this, but I heard that sentence near the end of a speech from Bill Milliken. He is most famous for a book he wrote back in the sixties called Tough Love. That two word title has become a catchphrase and it has been used over and over again since that time. I’m sure all of us have heard it plenty of times and we have each been both the giver and beneficiary of a little “tough love” at some point of time. Unfortunately what often masquerades as tough love is really no more than abuse. At other times saying someone needs to learn some “tough love” is an excuse to not help someone when we have the power (and moral responsibility) to do so.
I wonder if the sisters felt this way as Lazarus lay dying. He was desperate. Jesus could heal. Jesus loved them. Even though He did, he remained where He was. He didn’t come. The miracle worker didn’t show up. The Great Physician stayed his hand…
And Lazarus died.
React: Ever been there? I have. Well, I haven’t ever died but I have seen God do some amazing miracles both in my life and in the lives of friends and family. I know that God is still in the healing, the miracle business. Even though I have seen that and believe for it, I have also fallen to my knees desperately crying out for Him to heal… yet He stayed His hand. I can hardly continue writing as my mind is going over moments in time when even though Jesus loved, He stayed where He was. Where were You, God?!? My cry echoes that of Mary and Martha. You can heal. You do love. So why?
If only we could see the end from the beginning. If only we could fast forward to the moment where Jesus does arrive and tells Martha, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Better yet. Why can’t we zip forward to that moment in time when we hear Him say, “Lazarus… Nathan… Judy… Kathy… Ruth… Donnie… Jalit… Harlee… come forth.” Even though we do not see, even though we cannot understand, we know that in the end it will be worth it all. He knows what He is doing. He is in control. God is all loving. He is all powerful. The problem is that we are not all knowing.
Respond:
THE RIVER WALK 
This is great! “if only we could see the end from the beginning..” what a super line!
The True Light
I am certain that everyone has suffered a loss that made them look up and question “Why?” When the Lord took back my first-born son (born with a malformed heart) when he was just six weerks old, I had such mixed emotions. “Lord,, the scriptures tell us that YOU fashioned us in our mother’s womb. Why would you create a child with a congenital malformation?” The Lord blessed me with another son that I love dearly.
“Cheer up, my brother, walk in the sunshine. We’ll understand it all by and by!
Reblogged this on Jamal Is Rich and commented:
This Week is Summer Revival at
The New Testament Church of God at
935 S 53rd street
Philadelphia PA
Nightly at 7pm
And I Must say, this Post speaks life!!!
Drives home the point of the need to finish our race to see what the end will be. God is always on time.
Many times we are unable to comprehend Gods actions because of the love we have for someone that is suffering. He may choose to say come forth and live out your life on earth I still have things for you to do – or – come forth and live with Me. Your job is done faithful one. God is here but we just can’t see Him.
So true. We don’t know the ending and we can’t see past our pain sometimes. God sees all.