18/10/2025
*MEDITATION FOR THE 291ST DAY OF THE YEAR 2025*
*SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2025*
*Lesson of the Day*
*John 11:3-4*
*Lazarus's sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." When Jesus heard this, he said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified thereby."*
*THEME: "ADVERSITY, A PATH TO GOD'S GLORY"*
*Beloved, faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, may grace and peace be given to you from God our Father.*
*Jesus' friend, Lazarus, was gravely ill. An urgent case, requiring immediate intervention. Yet, when Jesus was informed of it, His response was surprising, to say the least. He declares that this critical situation will not result in death, but has a higher purpose: to reveal the glory of God.*
*How many of us experience trials that seem incomprehensible to us? We pray fervently, night and day, begging God to intervene, to change the circumstances, to spare us this calamity. How many times have doctors' diagnoses led you to believe that this illness is lifelong!?*
*Like Gideon, we ask ourselves, "If God is with us, why is this happening to us?" We sometimes wish we could turn back time to avoid experiencing such moments.*
*But today, God's Word brings us a powerful revelation. Jesus tells us that the situation that seems to overwhelm us will not have the final word. It will not lead to our ultimate loss, ruin, or disaster. No, it is a channel for the manifestation of God's glory. What good is your faith? Is it active or passive? Do you truly believe in Jesus Christ? Isn't it written: Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household?*
*What seems insurmountable to us becomes the stage where the world and unbelievers can see God's power and faithfulness at work. The challenge is to simply believe. As Jesus said to Martha, "If you believe, you will see the glory of God." The key is not in our understanding, but in our trust.*
*Remember: not all adversity is a death sentence. Our God specializes in turning the most destabilizing situations in our favor. Even when all seems lost, as when Lazarus went from sickness to death, let us remember that our Lord has authority over all things, including death itself. Your case is not hopeless for the One who holds the final victory.*
*I often say: when you find yourself facing a difficult and persistent situation (incurable illness, prolonged celibacy, childlessness, loss, limitations, dryness, contempt, humiliation, blockages, etc.), only one question remains to ask yourself: Is it a trial (coming from God, Job 1:1, 7-12, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hosea 6:1) or a temptation (coming from the devil, James 1:13)?*
*My friend, enter into prayer and seek the face of God, and as soon as you realize that you are undergoing satanic temptation (that is, you remain in a life of sin and far from the face of God), do not delay in repenting and returning to your God. The only prayer that mitigates God's anger and bad decisions in your life is the prayer of repentance and the firm decision to abandon a life of sin. Then you will live.*
*He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death. (Revelation 2:11)*
*A PRAYER FOR TODAY*
*Lord Jesus, we present to You all the difficult situations we face, these trials that overwhelm and destabilize us.*
*Thank You for Your Word, which assures us that these adversities are not for death, but are intended to reveal Your glory. Help us to fix our gaze not on the storm, but on You, the Master of the storm.*
*We choose to trust You, even when we do not understand. We base our faith not on what we see, but on Who You are: the faithful and almighty God. Strengthen our faith, Lord, so that, like Martha, we may declare, "I believe!" » and thus contemplate your glory manifested in our lives.*
*Take our lives, take our circumstances, and may your name be glorified. May your Holy Spirit give us the strength to endure trials and, above all, the strength to flee from a life of sin and love of the world. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.*
*May the light of Christ illuminate our lives*
*Jeannot Mbuyi*
Watchman