In The House Of Misery God HelpsSample

God Is Always In Control 

John 11:45 states “Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in Him.”

We have walked through the entire Lazarus account.  It started off with Jesus receiving word that Lazarus was sick.  He said, “This sickness will not end in death.” But we also found that Lazarus did die and that he was raised from the dead after four days and then loosed of his grave clothes.  

What was the benefit of all this misery that Lazarus and his sisters went through? Would it not have been better if Jesus healed him before he died?

In verse 15, Jesus said to His disciples, ”for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe.”

In verse 27, Martha was led to make the statement,” I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” 

John 11 verse 45, we read “Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.

Through this incident, the disciples, Martha and Mary and the Jews were brought into a fresh understanding of who Jesus is.  

Jesus’ statement that this sickness was for God’s glory was made manifest. But we also have to remember that for these people to come to God and for God to get the glory, there was a family in the middle of the story that had to go through a tremendously painful ordeal. Lazarus had to experience sickness and eventual death for four days. Mary and Martha had to experience the loss of their brother and the hurt in knowing that Jesus had received word, but that He had not yet arrived. God permitted this tragedy to enter the arena of this family’s life and remember that these were people that He loved.

Sometimes bad things happen to good people for the glory of God. 

Quote:  Sometimes God lets you be in a situation that only He can fix so that you can see that He is the One who fixes it. Rest. He's got it. - Tony Evans

Application question: What is the situation in your life today that seems out of control. Trust God. He is in control. 

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You never waste our pain and suffering. We reach out to You knowing that You are able to do more than I could ever imagine. Thank You that You are always in control. Amen