If Only

Today’s Encouragement is “Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.’” John 11:21 NLT

If Only – 

How often have we said, or thought, or prayed…  we called for You, Lord! If only You had come when we asked You for help! We needed You to: save us from…, to heal…, to rescue…, to help…!

Martha was Lazarus’s sister; she had sent Jesus a message days before that Lazarus was sick, hoping that Jesus would come and heal him.  Jesus got the message, fully understood the gravity of the Illness, had complete knowledge of what would happen… But He didn’t come! 

Jesus hadn’t come and healed Lazarus… as He had done for so many others. All He had to do was think or speak a word, and healing would be complete, no matter where He was.  But this time, He didn’t.

Lazarus’ broken-hearted, grieving sisters only knew Lazarus had died, and Jesus did not help! He did not answer their prayers! He ignored their plea, their prayer!  They didn’t know the rest of the story!

My friends, when our prayers go unanswered, our fears are realized, and loss, grief, betrayal, and failure are real! And Jesus did not do what we asked!

Remember – it’s not over yet! 

Father God, thank You for opening our eyes to see that You are never finished with us.  Even death does not end the story of Your relationship with us!  You are always working for us!!! When we cannot see it, or even imagine how You could be ‘in this situation’… You are still Lord! You have a plan! You make a way!

It’s Not Over Yet

For King and Country