15/01/2020
*TOPIC:*
PRAISE GOD IN ALL SITUATIONS
John 11:38-44 Now Jesus, again sighing repeatedly and deeply disquieted, approached the tomb. It was a cave (a hole in the rock), and a boulder lay against [the entrance to close] it.
Jesus said, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead man, exclaimed, But Lord, by this time he [is decaying and] throws off an offensive odor, for he has been dead four days!
Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God?
So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.
Yes, I know You always hear and listen to Me, but I have said this on account of and for the benefit of the people standing around, so that they may believe that You did send Me [that You have made Me Your Messenger].
When He had said this, He shouted with a loud voice, Lazarus, come out!
And out walked the man who had been dead, his hands and feet wrapped in burial cloths (linen strips), and with a [burial] napkin bound around his face. Jesus said to them, Free him of the burial wrappings and let him go.
Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. (1 Thessalonia
The Son of God, Jesus Christ, found Himself with the dead body of His friends, Lazarus of Bethany, who had been attacked with sickness that ravaged his body, and eventually led to his death. Tears were flowing from the eyes of families and friends. The two sisters were helpless in the midst of the force of untimely death that had claimed the life of their only brother. Oh! Lazarus was dead and buried before the Saviour arrived the scene.
The report they gave Jesus Christ made Him wee. Martha wept! Mary wept! This was so, because Lazarus was dead. Their only brother was dead. But Jesus Christ had a different intention and approach to the seemingly hopeless situation on ground. He arrived to turn the situation around. He faced His Father in heaven and gave thanks for the situation. If only you can also face your heavenly Father, today, and give thanks for all things and in your present situation, He will also turn your situation around. Jesus Christ gave thanks to God, for He always heard Him, and over the seemingly hopeless situations of Lazarus and his surviving sisters. By praising and thanking God