“Lazarus, Come Forth!”

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NAS).

Are you going through a difficult and trying time in your life? If you are, you are not alone. People all over the world have endured harsh and debilitating circumstances; many have risen above the adversity and have moved forward to live a more meaningful and fulfilled life. As human beings it is easy to worry; worrying about the circumstances in life that are uncontrollable. With so much going on in life how can we live in assurance and peace? The answer to this question is simple; it’s Jesus Christ. He is the One Who died on the cross for our sins and rose again that we might “have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Many individuals get caught up in trying to find security on earth. They seek after money, fame, relationships, and other vices to fill the void within them. Individuals that live this way eventually end up disappointed, brokenhearted, and shipwrecked on the shores of life. Those that put their hope in Jesus Christ will never be disappointed; and when the trials and tribulations of life come, they will be able to stand through it knowing that God is with them. There is a void in the heart of every person on earth that can only be filled by Jesus Christ. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He is the Beginning and the End; the Alpha and the Omega. Without Him, it is impossible to enter Heaven, and to live a fruitful and effective life on earth. The evidence is all around us; people in various walks of life, whether they be wealthy or poor, young or old, successful or unsuccessful, are hurting and crying out for something greater in their lives.

Jesus offers each and every one of us a precious gift; the gift of salvation. The Bible says; “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13 NAS).You don’t have to work for it, and you don’t have to be a perfect person. Jesus says; “come just as you are and receive Me.” He has already chosen you. The question is; will you choose Him? Are you a person who has never received Jesus; or are you a person that has walked away from the faith because of a trying time that befell you? Have you become angry and embittered? Has this caused you to fall away from Jesus and leave the call He has placed on your life? If this has happened to you, then it is not too late. It is never too late to allow Jesus to pick up the pieces of your life. No matter what you are facing God can turn it around for you. A beautiful example of this is found in the Scriptures.

In John 11:33-44 NAS it says;

When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?” So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.

Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.” I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Lazarus and His loved ones were in the most terrible circumstance. Lazarus had died and his loved ones were devastated. By the time Jesus arrived Lazarus had been dead for four days. The people were shaken and their faith was low. They wondered why Jesus had not come earlier. They thought Jesus was late, but really He was right on time. A miracle was displayed in front of many people that day as Jesus said; “Lazarus, come forth” and raised him from the dead.

How many times in your life have you been angry at God wondering where He is and if He will ever intervene in your circumstance? Often times the Lord will allow circumstances in our lives to get our attention and cause us to look upward to Him. When we do and our attention turns to Jesus, He works the greatest miracles. It is in this that we recognize that God is in control, that His love is towards us, and we can trust Him with the most vital issues in our lives. 

This day I encourage you to turn your heart to the Lord. He is there. He loves you and He is waiting for you. If you would like to receive Jesus Christ into your heart and life; or if you would like to rededicate your life to Him you can start by praying this prayer aloud;

Dear Lord Jesus,

I ask that You would forgive me of my sins and wash me clean with Your blood. I welcome You into my heart and ask You to be the Lord of my life. I dedicate my life to You and ask You to fill me with Your Presence. I welcome You Holy Spirit and I repent for grieving You. I profess You Lord Jesus as my Savior and King. I give You my heart.

In Jesus Mighty Name I Pray,

Amen