“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 brother Lazarus. But when news got to Jesus he did not drop whatever he was doing to rush to their 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” (vv 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” (vv 21-22).
Meanwhile Mary who had stayed in the house on hearing of his arrival came out wondering 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). She felt it is too late.
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?” (vv 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” (vv 43-44).
If you believe in the Almighty God, then there is nothing like too late! 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, 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 for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth. 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 have in your son, Lord Jesus
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16/05/2024 - 17/05/2024 All day“But you will not go out in haste, nor will you go out as fugitives; For the Lord will go before you, And the Lord God of Israel will be your rear guard” (Isaiah 52:12)
When everyone of us is setting out for any journey usually there are certain items we first check we have tucked in our travelling bags before heading. If it is out of country of course a passport is a must. There are many countries where you will not be allowed in without a yellow fever certificate. During the corona virus pandemic a negative PCR test became mandatory before jumping on to a plane.
Aside from travel documents, what else? A long time ago when Isaac came of age his father Abraham wished him to marry from his people whom they had left far behind. So he called out one of his able servants to go back to his people and get Isaac a wife. Of course this servant got out the camels he needed and all the things important for the journey. Once he got to the town of Nahor which was his destination, this servant who remains unnamed, did something remarkable and memorable.
“Then he prayed, “Lord, you are the God of my master Abraham. Make me successful today. Be kind to my master Abraham” ( Gen 24:12). The servant asked God for a sign to help him know if he was in the right place. “Before he had finished praying Rebekah came out...Then the man bowed down and worshipped the Lord...The Lord has led me on this journey." (Genesis 24: 15- 27). Eventually he returned with Rebekah after explaining to her family his mission, who blessed her to go. “Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands, may your offspring possess the cities of their enemies” ( Gen 24:60).
Everyone of us is on a journey. Some near; others, quite a bit far. But each day we set out on a journey may we be inspired by this unnamed servant, who recognized the most important document one needs for in a journey is prayer.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray in the loving name of Jesus that as I set out on the journey of life, you bless me as you did to Abraham’s servant, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
