There are many times in our walk with the Lord that we face unexpected painfully disruptive endings. And then we begin to wrestle with a new beginning, not flesh and blood. This is where one season may end in an emotional devaluation or with a spiritual and mental crash. Though the next season may be filled with promise of a "new day" ... There seems to be little helping the cloud of darkness and the feeling of abandonment and uselessness that sets in. BUT HELP IS NEAR because of Emanuel(God with us).
"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. Believeth thou this?" John 11:25,26
In verse 27 Martha replied unto Him, "Yes Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." ... Saying this she went "her way" and told her sister, Mary, secretly, that Jesus was calling for her.
Although He is "Now" effectual in all things... that we need "Now" and "For Ever", His working in our lives is not dependent on our fragile ability to understand what will happen next. Martha truly believed in what she knew to be currently possible. She could hear His words, and faith would take her right to Jesus. She could even hyper-faith to the future promise; but a resurrection now? Her brother rise now, after he had been dead for 4 days?
We just don't get it and won't get it .. The strongest and firmest in their faith for a miracle for others, seem so broken... when change that brings insecurity... knocks on their door. BUT THAT IS OK... Martha knew where to put the weight of her faith ... NOT ON THE MIRACLE, but on JESUS. Cry out to Jesus!!
Psalm 97 - Declares the power of the Presence of our God who reigns ... The entire world that we know is shaken at His presence - Mystery surrounds Him, fire goes before Him, lightnings and thunder start the trembling, hills melt while the Heavens declare His righteousness ... (Those who worship anything other than Him ... Have no concept of Him). The closer we walk to Him the more we hate evil and seek deliverance for others because ...He only has the power to deliver out of the "hand of the wicked".
BUT to all who are His declared "righteous" and recreated "upright in heart": there will come those times of "worthless, unsettling, seemingly unfair ... change" ... But He has a garden that He has planted ahead of time for such a moment. It is a strange garden compared to the gardens that grow produce that ripens and then begins immediately to rot.
It is a garden carefully chosen by the Father, soil upturned by the Son's Nail Scarred Hands, watered by the promise of His Word, purified by the blood of the Lamb, fully secured by His Resurrection and freely offered by the Spirit to those who believe: "Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous: and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness." Psalm 97:11,12
Two awesome gifts grow from this Garden of Hope - Light and Gladness. When things get dark, draw from Light that has been planted for you. When you see your life in the talons of hopelessness draw on the Gladness of His promises planted ahead of time for you.
For the "current day believer", we may never feel the fullness of the loss felt by the disciples at the crucifixion of Jesus ... That event brought extreme fear and devastating change... But to exercise our imaginations to feel is not a waste. Seek to feel their loss.
Being fully alive in Christ is one of the greatest assets of this life in Him. Pray with all prayer heightened in our awareness by praise and thanksgiving for all things ... Knowing that ALL things work together for good to them that love Him, The Called according to His purpose ... in this garden of Hope. He will walk into your darkness ... He will bring light and gladness if you let Him. Be ready to greet him and worship Him immediately and accordingly.
One of the first encounters after the resurrection had "the welcome" to this Garden of Hope ... Mathew 28:9 ... We read Jesus' word to the grieving women returning from His empty tomb as ... "All Hail!" ...in reality...the word is "Rejoice! Be Glad! Spin in dance!" And they fell at His feet and worshipped Him.
Take a moment and read Psalm 98 -- and looking to Heaven ... Breathe in to be ready to sing a new song!!! It is coming - He is coming ... He is here!
Come into His Garden of Hope.
HLFA,
Jeff