John 11: 1-25

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judæa again. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. (John 11:1-4, 7-13, 15-29 KJV)

If you were living in Bethany at that time when Lazarus died and was buried, without the benefit  hindsight,how disappointed would you have been! Maybe I need to rephrase the question. Have  you lost any Lazarus in your life? I have lost some things despite prayers, despite believing. You may be here today and though you lived right then,  something unexpected happened to you and you are wondering has GOD left me?

 Sometimes in our lives we see a Lazarus situation unfolding. Just like Lazarus fell sick and they sent for Jesus, but he never showed up till Lazarus had died and been buried for four days. Infact Jesus was told that by now HE SINKETH. That business kept going downhill you have prayed and yet it goes under. That financial challenge emerged you fasted yet the bills kept mounting. You needed that job, attended various night vigils but you were not employed. You heard about a downsizing exercise that was to commence in your office or spouses you prayed and declared it was not your portion yet you go fired. These are all Lazarus situations.

They sent for Jesus but He didnt show up at their time of expectation. Martha said EVEN NOW, your even now faith can make dead things to come alive in your life. Your even now statements can trigger a restoration, your even now action can bring about a miracle.  Everytime Jesus did not show up at your time of expectation it is because he wants to take you higher, He wants to manifest himself to you in a new dimension. In John 11:25 Jesus said I am the Resurrection and the life. Hitherto,He had not manifested that attribute. You see if Jesus had met Lazarus sick, he would have healed him and we will not have experienced our Lord as the Resurrection and the Life. When God does not show up as you expect, it is because He wants to show up as you never knew Him. The important thing is that He will surely show up and make everything work together for your good.

So believe in God even now that He seems far away in your situation; even now that your prayers seem to be bouncing back to you; even now that the deadline has passed.

Have an EVEN NOW FAITH.

Peace always.

Busola Jegede.