Mark Archives - BibleStorm

Have you ever encountered a difficult situation?

John 11:1-4,38-44 recalls the story of Lazarus, his sickness, death and how Jesus raised him from the dead. It details the expectations of the sisters of Lazarus and their disappoinment that Jesus did not make it to him before he died. But there’s a deeper story here as well.

Perhaps you have received an evil report concerning your health, finances, loved ones, job, etc. This is not the time to panic and become hysterical. Instead it’s a great opportunity to seek God’s Word concerning the situation and the resolution. It’s also a great time to make positive, biblical based confessions concerning the situation.

In John 11:4, Jesus said

“This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

That’s how we should look at every situation. That it is for God’s glory so that Christ may be glorified through it.

We can substitute our difficult situation for the word “sickness” in this scripture. E.g. This financial difficulty will not end in foreclosure or bankruptcy. This challenge on my job will not end in job loss or loss of favor. This battle with addicition will not end in defeat. Etc.

Jesus said we should fear not and we should have peace. In this world we will have numerous trials and tribulations but He has already overcome them for our sake (John 16:33).

We already know how the situation with Lazarus turned out.

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40).

Just as surely as Lazarus was raised from the Lord, we have assurance that if we believe and have faith as little as a mustard seed, all things are possible to those who believes (Mark 10:27).

PS: You may also want to read our blog posts on “the consequences of fearful thinking” and “burdened beyond your abilities“.

Did You Know?

We can hold fast (tightly, unswervingly) to our hope [in God] because He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful (Hebrews 10:23).

Our confidence has great reward, so do not cast it away. (Hebrews 10:35).

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How do we know that God is at work?

Because the bible tells us so.

But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”

John 5:17 NKJV

Sometimes it seems as if “God isn’t doing anything, as when Jesus delayed visiting Mary and Martha’s sick brother”, Lazarus (John 11:3-6). Or when Abraham waited 25 years between receiving the promise and when Isaac was actually born (Genesis 12:1-4; 21:1-7).

But “our Father has given us the Holy Spirit to help us recognize His presence and handiwork. But discerning God’s work also requires patience since the Lord operates according to His timetable, not ours.”

Jesus said

“whatever things you ask when you pray,

believe that you receive them,

and you will have them.”

Mark 11:24 NKJV

In between the time we pray for something and when we see the manifestation of it, we should trust in the Lord with all our heart (Proverbs 3:5). Why? Because:

God never changes (Hebrews 13:8).
His word is always true (Matthew 24:35).
God is our helper, our light, our salvation, and the strength of our life (Psalms 27:1)

“When we recognize the ways in which God is operating, we will be encouraged and strengthened in our faith.”

Be encouraged. Jesus already took all death, sickness and disease in His body upon the cross and by His stripes we are healed and we are healthy (1 Peter 2:24). The coronavirus will be no different.

Note: Based on a devotional reading from InTouch Ministries.