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Praying Through the Scriptures - John 11
by Lord, once more you remind us that sometimes sickness is so that Gods glory may be shown, rather than because of a persons sin. Thank you for that reminder! When I am sick, let me examine myself to identify any unconfessed sin. If there is none, let me not continue to look for some hidden sin, but let me remember that God sometimes allows sickness so that his glory may be seen. Lord, help me to work while there is yet light, for the time is coming when darkness will overtake me and I, too, will sleep. There is much work to be done on this earth. Help me, Lord, to do the works God created in advance for me to do. O Lord Jesus, how hard it must have been for you to wait, knowing the grief Mary and Martha would be experiencing. But because you waited in accordance with your Fathers will, what an awesome opportunity you had to show the glory of God! Lord, like me, there was much that Thomas did not understand, but he was, nevertheless, loyal to you. Help me to be loyal enough to both die for you and to live for you. Lord, I also believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who came into this world to save mankind. Lord Jesus, was Mary angry with you? How often do we blame God when seemingly bad things happen? Help me to remember, Lord, that God loves me and seeks only my good. When difficult times come, remind me that you are with me always and that you will bring me through the difficult times if I just hang onto you and fix my eyes upon you. Lord, people remember verse 35 as the shortest verse in the Bible, but it is much more than that. It is evidence that you know what grief feels like. You know what it is like to lose a loved one. Help me, Lord, to remember, when I experience grief, that not only are you with me, but that you have been there. You are not sympathizing; you are empathizing. Remind me, also, that your Father knows what its like to have a Son die. I still dont understand that, Lord. I will never understand, as long as I am on this earth, how God could decree your death or how you could submit to his will and give up your life. I dont understand, but I am very grateful. Oh, what a glorious day that was, when you raised Lazarus from the dead! I can imagine the people watching in disbelief and then gradually realizing that they really had seen a dead man come to life. How could they not believe that you are the Messiah! O Lord, I read these verses about the Pharisees and other disbelieving Jews and I want to scream, Stop! Dont you understand? How can you be so blind? Do you not see that Jesus is the Messiah you have been waiting for all these years? But, it would have done no good. Even today, people dont see, or wont see. O God, how can I ever thank you for opening my eyes, for revealing yourself to me through the Bible and your Son, for sending your Spirit to teach me? How much longer will you let this world continue down the path of self-destruction before you send Jesus back and restore all things? God, I dont know how everything is going to come to pass at the end of the age. There are many debates over what various passages in the Bible mean, but the important thing is that you are sending Jesus back and Judgment Day is coming for the unsaved of this world. Knowing that, Father, renew in me a burning desire to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone you send my way. Here am I, God; use me, please. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. Copyright 2007, Star Ferdinand. Star Ferdinand is the author of The Prayerful Bible Study Series of study guides, numerous devotionals, and other Christian writings. You can read more of her writings at starferdinand.wordpress.com. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |