Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in grave clothes, his face wrapped in a head cloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” (John 11:43-44)

Read: Ezekiel 5:1 – 9:11

Relate: Quick little jaunt down memory lane. I remember listening to this on the old record player. For those who don’t know, that was kind of like a CD, if you can remember those, except it was bigger and black and it used a needle, not a laser, to play the music. Anyways, this was probably the best song on the first record I truly fell in love with:

React: I can still remember getting all excited and dancing around at six or seven years old listening to that. I’d do my best to sound deep and bold as I would sing it out, “Lazarus… Jesus… Lazarus, Jesus? Lazarus, Jesus? LAZARUS, COME FORTH!” It was songs like this, and it was the Biblical story that it was based on that had me absolutely convinced that God could anything. I guess that’s why Jesus that the Kingdom of God belongs to those like children and the Psalmist writes: “The Lord protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me.”

He didn’t just do it when I was a kid. He still works miracles today. Lazarus wasn’t the first and certainly not person God raised from the dead. He is still at work in our world. What do I need from God? He can say, “Sickness, be gone” just as easily as He said, “Lazarus, come forth.”

Respond: 

God, I understand that You are the same powerful, loving God You always have been. I understand that You are more than powerful enough to meet any need I might have. Help me to know it. Help me to believe it. Understanding that You can and expecting that You will are two very different things. Help me to get back to that childlike faith. Help me to truly expect great things from You in my life today. Help me to live and to walk in the assurance of the promises of Your Kingdom.