“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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29/04/2024 - 30/04/2024 All day“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27)
One of the most moving Christian song ever written is, “Its well with my soul!” To hear it sung in cathedrals, concerts or at funerals, always leaves many with goose bumps. It has uplifted many through the most difficult of moments, soothing their weary spirit.
It’s coming into being in many ways show how God so often uses difficult situations to bless so many. In 1871 Horatio Spafford, was one of the wealthiest lawyers, based in Chicago. He was also a devout Christian, along with his wife Ann, and their four daughters. But early in 1871 came the Great Fire of Chicago that destroyed Spafford’s sizable investment.
Devastated from the loss, Spafford, seeking to recover, two years later, decided to go for a holiday in Europe. But at the last minute he was detained by business, letting Ann and his four daughters to proceed, hoping to join them. No sooner had they left when the ship in which they were had an accident and sank within minutes. All the four children drowned, though Anna survived.
Spafford on receiving the news decided to go and pick up Ann. As he got to the spot where the ship had sunk, in his despair came the words that have brought respite to so many, through generations. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul... Let this blest assurance control That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my soul. It is well...With my soul..
It is well, it is well with my soul.”It is said as Ann saw her daughters going down, she said, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand.” And, indeed, “It is well with my soul” was God’s gift to all of mankind through a tragedy.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of heaven, sometimes through tragedies, it is difficult to understand or appreciate the moment; but as the song goes, whatever the difficulty may be, “Its well with my soul” for you are with me, no matter! This I pray in Jesus’ name!
