“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” ( 2 Peter 3:8).
Have you had a moment when you felt you were out of time? It is “too late” is perhaps what went through Martha and Mary when life slipped out of their their brother Lazarus. After all he had been sick for a while and upon being told of his death Jesus did not drop whatever he was doing to rush to his rescue. “So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days” ( John 11:7). Later he decided to go and, “On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days” ( verse 17).
Yet in spite of this delay Jesus found Martha’s faith apparently not shaken. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask” ( verse 21-22). Meanwhile Mary who had stayed in the house on hearing of his arrival came out but wondered if there was any hope. “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” ( verse 32).
But it was not too late. “Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe,you will see the glory of God?” ( verse 40). Thus, “When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go” ( verses 43-44).
Perhaps you too have a matter that has not only been ailing for a while but by all physical appearance is dead. Well, if you believe, just as the Lord challenged his followers, it is not too late. It was against reality and quite laughable to think that a man who had been dead for four days could be restored to life. Well, the Lord did it. What more is it with you that the Lord can’t restore to life?
Prayer today: Lord father God of heaven, you who raised Lazarus from the dead even after four days of being in the tomb, I bring to you all my affairs even that which appears dead, that you restore it to life, for nothing is too late with you, because of the faith I have in your son, Lord Jesus Christ!
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
