Psalm 4:1-8 KJV [1] Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; Have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. [2] O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? How long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah. [3] But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: The LORD will hear when I call unto him. [4] Stand in awe, and sin not: Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. [5] Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the LORD. [6] There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up The light of thy countenance upon us. [7] Thou hast put gladness in my heart, More than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. [8] I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: For thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for Your Word and all that You do through it. Lord, I lift up my prayer before You today. You have always been faithful, throughout my life, You have inclined Your ear to me, especially when I have been in distress. Thank You! Lord, please grant mercy to those who err, to those who have put their trust in You and have fallen prey to the enemy. Lord, please grant mercy to those who are innocent, thrown into the path of wickedness by those near them. Lord, how I long to see those who prey upon them to repent and renounce their evil. Lord, please show us the depravity for which society calls normal, that we might repent of such things and be saved from destruction. Lord, let all those who are called by Your name recognize what is right and seek not after their own glory, comfort or pleasure, but instead seek to please and glorify You, our Savior, our Creator. Lord, may we spend the first and last hours of our day in quiet reflection, meditating upon Your Word and in prayer. Lord, may we offer You the best and most valuable thing we have: ourselves. May our sacrifice be acceptable unto You and may our lives bring You glory. Lord, please help us not to be drug into the depression, the hopelessness of those who are lost, but rather to put our trust in You. Psalm 4:7-8 NLT — You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe. Thank You for another day. May I honor You throughout and walk in peace and joy, being continually secure in Your love and salvation. Amen.
Psalms 12:1-8 NKJV [1] Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. [2] They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak. [3] May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, And the tongue that speaks proud things, [4] Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; Who is lord over us?” [5] “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.” [6] The words of the Lord are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times. [7] You shall keep them, O Lord, You shall preserve them from this generation forever. [8] The wicked prowl on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for how it speaks clearly. Lord, we need Your help, for the godly man, the godly woman are becoming harder to find. Lord, it seems the words of the scoffer, the voice of pride, the words of “peace, peace” when there is no peace are all around. Lord, the shear weight of the blasphemest tongue is too heavy. It crushes itself and harms others. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your promises. Thank You that You not only see the needed, the orphan, the abused, You take their cause. You rescue them and put them in the place of security. Thank You for those who are working to combat evil and share the only true salvation. Lord, thank You for those who risk their lives to bring the Gospel to others. For Your Word is pure. Your Word is complete. It is through Your Word we find that which saves. It is through Your sacrifice on the Cross that we find debt paid and through Your resurrection we find eternal peace and immovable security. Lord, You tell us that wickedness seeks to devour and is all the more active when mankind promotes evil and praises that which is detestable. Lord Jesus, thank You that no matter the situation, our hope is in You and no one can snatch Your sheep out of Your hand.
In this chapter we have the history of that illustrious miracle which Christ wrought a little before his death-the raising of Lazarus to life, which is recorded only by this evangelist; for the other three confine themselves to what Christ did in Galilee, where he resided most, and scarcely ever carried their history into Jerusalem till the passion-week: whereas John’s memoirs relate chiefly to what passed at Jerusalem; this passage therefore was reserved for his pen. Some suggest that, when the other evangelists wrote, Lazarus was alive, and it would not well agree either with his safety or with his humility to have it recorded till now, when it is supposed he was dead. It is more largely recorded than any other of Christ’s miracles, not only because there are many circumstances of it so very instructive and the miracle of itself so great a proof of Christ’s mission, but because it was an earnest of that which was to be the crowning proof of all-Christ’s own resurrection. (Matthew Henry)
Read John 11:1-16
As characteristic of this gospel, specific details are given and worth noting.
1st Lazarus:
of Bethany v.1
the town of Mary and her sister Martha v.1
was loved by Jesus v.3, 5
became ill and died v.1, 3, 14
was buried v.17, 31, 34, 38-39
was resurrected by Jesus v.41-44
John 11:1 NKJV
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
This town of Bethany in Judea was within walking distance from Jerusalem (v.18) and figures largely in the life of Christ.
Read Matt. 21:17; Mark 11:1 & 11-12; Luke 24:50-53.
John 11:2 NKJV It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
Read Matt. 26:6-13; John 12:1-8.
Martha, the sister of both Lazarus and Mary whose fame is from a different incident.
Read Luke 10:38-42
This family was close to Jesus and it’s not surprising they sent a message to Him in Galilee when Lazarus became ill.
His response seems to convey peace to the family and the disciples.
John 11:4 NKJV
When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
The disciples seem surprised and concerned when Jesus announces His intentions to return to Judea. John 11:7-8
Despite Jesus being in danger multiple times from different groups, but more often the Jewish leaders, He proved their intentions and threats useless, for none of their efforts succeeded.
Always patiently teaching, He responds.
John 11:9-11 NKJV
[9] Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. [10] But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” [11] These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”
Read John 8:12, 9:5.
John 11:12-15 NKJV [12] Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” [13] However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. [14] Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. [15] And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.”
As if the promise He gave (v. 4) had been uttered in futility, for they seem to have forgotten it already, the disciples take the news with discouragement, but are correct in their direction to follow no matter the personal cost.
John 11:16 NKJV
Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”
Read Matt. 16:24.
John 11:20-27 NKJV [20] Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. [21] Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. [22] But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” [23] Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” [24] Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” [25] Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. [26] And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” [27] She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
This exchange between Jesus and Martha is duplicated even today in the hearts and lives of those who love the Lord Jesus and experience deep loss.
She meets Him as He is coming, her heart full of grief and her mind full of “why?”.
He gives her eternal promises added to the original one and reminds her of who He is.
Although Jesus never answered her “why?”, her time with Him not only brings her assurance, she then goes to call her sister to meet Christ as well, where He is waiting for her.
John 11:28-30 NKJV
[28] And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” [29] As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. [30] Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him.
It’s a beautiful picture of how grief given into the hands of the Savior brings not only comfort but encouragement to be shared with others who grieve.
At no time is Jesus unaware of how this is going to come out, for He has stated the purpose of it all at the moment He was told about the sickness.
Yet, His compassion, His great love is evident to all who were present.
John 11:32-36 NKJV
[32] Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” [33] Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. [34] And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” [35] Jesus wept. [36] Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”
Mary’s words repeat those of Martha’s, but Jesus’ response is different.
Read Romans 12:15-16.
No matter the circumstance, it seems there will be the scornful.
John 11:37 NKJV
And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”
Read Psalm 78:19-20.
Throughout Scripture it is seen that God chooses to have people work alongside Him and this is seen in the moving of the stone as well as the unbinding of Lazarus.
Read John 11:38-44.
Jesus’ prayer, spoken aloud for both the crowd as well as this record, shows again the intimate relationship between God the Father and God the Son.
These words remind all of the purpose of Christ’s coming and foreshadow the motive for His coming sacrifice.
Read Luke 22:39-44.
How does this story give the follower of Christ hope in times of loss and grief?
What parallel is there between Jesus’ discussion with the Samaritan woman at the well and this one with Martha?
I smiled at my breakfast and snapped this picture.
For the word printed on the cup gave me the start my tired brain struggled to find.
What journey am I referring to?
Life with Christ.
It’s far more complex than line upon line of description.
This daily walking is more rewarding than any material accomplishment.
Our gracious Savior has been using a variety of teaching mediums of late.
One day it was the realization that our refrigerator had died overnight.
When my fingers touched the not cold food in the appliance, fear got loud.
Although, my efforts to pray and trust were foremost, the nipping at the heals of my thoughts continued.
Until our son got up.
He walked out of his room with a cheery, “Good morning “.
I smiled half-heartedly, the pinneedle teeth just would not be shaken off my thoughts.
I decided to get the bad news over with and tell our son the fridge had died.
He grinned and replied, “Hooray!”
My half-hearted smile burst into a grin.
James 1:2-4 NKJV [2] My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. [4] But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
The grip was broken.
“Thank you! I needed that. You are right. Thank You, Lord for the fridge no longer working. I praise You and trust You to supply all our need.”
Tail-beetween-legs, fear was fast leaving.
The Lord replaced our fridge and we all really like the new one.
It’s smaller and simpler, and is serving the need well.
The LORD used a series of challenging days to grant us a possible new direction.
As our dear cancer patient resumes treatment it has come to our attention that the current system may not always be the best one.
Discussion has brought up questions but no clear answers as yet.
Thus, we are waiting upon the Lord.
The last of our goats have been sold and we are discussing how the pasture can be utilized for the sheep and cows.
With so many areas of responsibility away from the Farm, it has been necessary for us to make the changes to downsize.
We smile at how God allowed us to try several things to learn what He was leading us to.
What a blessing it is to be led by the Lord.
These things do not even scratch the surface of how God has been working in and through our circumstances.
Many of those details are not as valuable to relate as the outcome.
The peace which has been planted is steadily growing.
It’s been joined in the garden by joy, whose fruit has strengthened me through the days most wearying.
Both trees are watered by praise and worship and the fertilizer is Scripture.
This morning God used my breakfast to bring me the reminder of the only true hope: Jesus Christ.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for today. I humbly request that You guard our hearts and minds, that You renew our perspective through Your Word, and that we find peace that surpasses all understanding. Lord, please grant us guidance through Your Scriptures, comfort through Your Spirit, and patient endurance through Your promises. Thank You. Amen.
Psalm 25:4-5 KJV
[4] Shew me thy ways, O LORD; Teach me thy paths. [5] Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: For thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word! Lord, please open my understanding to Your truth. Lord, teach me from Your Word that I may be made new. Lord Jesus, thank You for being the One who made the path of righteousness and for leading me daily. Lord, thank You for Your truth. Lord, use Your Word to shine truth into my heart, reveal that which has been confusing to me. Help me better understand You, others, and myself. Lord, turn my attention to Your Word and away from that which is useless. For You are God and only through Your sacrifice is there salvation. Only in Your name is there life eternal. Only in You may redemption be found. Lord, please keep my foot from stepping to the left or right. Protect my heart from doubt and pride. Let me not waste time, let me not be idle or boastful or abrasive. Lord, lead me today that I might bring glory to Your name. Thank You. Amen.
Matthew 10:27-31 NKJV [27] “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. [28] And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. [29] Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. [30] But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. [31] Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for sending out Your disciples to preach that which You spoke, to proclaim that which You taught. Lord, thank You that Your command to make disciples, to share the truth, to spread Your name has not been rescinded. Thank You that You still call those who are Your sheep to do this. Thank You that with this command comes promise and assurance. We need fear no man nor any harm, including death, for You are our security. Your salvation is our precious treasure. Nothing on earth is as valuable, even our lives. Nothing goes unnoticed by You. You, who have the number of our hairs and who loves us to such an unfathomable degree! You have promised and You will perform. One’s soul is very safe in Your keeping. What else matters than to obey? Lord Jesus, with every passing sparrow may we remember these words of Yours, both the responsibility and the promise. Thank You, Lord Jesus! Amen.
John 10:22-24 KJV And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
In review, the words of Christ from verses 25-38 are in response to the Jews’ effort to gain a legal point on which to arrest Him. (John 7:1, 11, 25, 44-45)
John 10:25 KJV
Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
It is important to recall that Jesus spoke directly as to who He was, thus their question had no other motive than to entrapment Him. (John 5:17-43)
Read John 10:29-47.
He answered plainly.
John 10:30 KJV I and my Father are one.
They didn’t believe Him, as He stated.
John 10:31 KJV Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
The word again is not used flippantly.
Read John 5:16,18; 8:59.
Yet, Jesus still proves His declaration by His response, not only through His words but His actions.
John 10:32 KJV Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
Nothing about this question speaks of fear or even self defense.
He knows they can do nothing to Him. (John 10:17-18)
Rather, this question is phrased to bend light upon their motives.
John 10:33 KJV The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
Had they not just asked Him to “tell us plainly” and yet they are offended, deeply incensed against Him for declaring that which they asked for, proving His words, “ye believed not”?
John 10:34-36 KJV Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
Scripture is clear that the enemy knows God’s Word and is crafty at twisting it to ensnare. (Matt. 4:1-11)
Therefore, it is imperative that we not get tripped up by focusing on the wrong thing in this passage.
Jesus is quoting from Psalm 82, which those in attendance to this discussion would have known.
It is more than a defense, it is another opportunity for conviction.
Read Psalm 82.
These men were not judging righteously and the words of Christ are witness against them.
Read John 5:39-47, 7:24.
Jesus’ life spoke for who He was and is.
John 10:38 KJV
But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
The very fact that they are standing with stones in their hands ready to kill and He is calmly discussing it should be an added weight on the scales of proof.
John 10:39 KJV
Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
This is another moment where each one’s heart is shown.
The Jews here are not repentant nor swayed by the truth, but rather continue to show the hardness of their hearts.
Yet, Jesus shows them they have no power over Him, despite being surrounded. (John 10:24)
John 10:40-42 KJV
and went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. And many believed on him there.
Jesus’ continues in the work of His Father and many are saved.
What a stark contrast is made in these verses, those who hear Jesus and believe and those who refuse to hear and become even more His enemy than before.
In reviewing your own responses to God’s Word what can you see?
How does Jesus’ example encourage you as you face persecution?
What hope (confident expectation) does this chapter teach the believer?
Psalms 100:1-5 NKJV Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for this reminder and encouragement to sing Your praises, to shout out our joy at Your salvation! Lord, thank You that we are encouraged to come before You and exhorted to do so with praise and worship. Lord, You are God. You created all, including us, and we belong to You, not to ourselves. Our very livelihood is a gift from Your hand. The breath in our lungs is from You. Thank You! Thank You for the wonders of creation. Thank You for the incredible gifts You give. Lord, may we enter into praise, offering You the sacrifices of thanksgiving daily. For You do not require the blood of sheep, but You call us to follow Your example and sacrifice ourselves, taking up our crosses and following You not with drudgery, but with joy, for the sufferings of this life are for but a moment. Lord Jesus, I praise Your holy name and I offer myself to Your service this day. Lord, I lay down that which is mine and I carry that which is Yours, a humble servant’s heart. Lord Jesus, You are the best example of a life well pleasing to the Lord and I praise Your holy name! Please let my life bring you glory and my lips bring You praise. For You are good. Your mercy is everlasting and Your truth endures to every generation. Blessed be the name of the LORD! Amen.
Yet, there was a vague sense of terror that although Jesus was God’s Son and Savior of the world, people killed Him.
It seemed to confirm the depth of wickedness of mankind, but it also seemed strange that God could be killed by His creation.
The Lord corrected this skewed understanding through His Word.
John 10:18 NKJV — “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
Jesus laid down His life.
Luke 23:46 NKJV — And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.
Jesus took it up again.
Matthew 28:1-10 KJV [1] In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. [2] And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. [3] His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: [4] and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. [5] And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. [6] He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. [7] And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. [8] And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. [9] And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. [10] Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
My childhood fear was founded upon my childish perspective.
With maturity has come wisdom and comfort.
God has taught me of His love and His Sovereignty.
Although, my perspective is still limited, I can recognize that the God who chose to come in flesh to pay my price for sin by His death and chose to rise, all at the appointed time in obedience to the perfect will of the Father, has done all this and more out of His great love for me.
Therefore, fear of anything besides disobedience to Him is futile, even foolish.
What greater comfort can there be than to recognize all these and to know my soul is safe with the Lord?
Romans 8:35-39 NKJV [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” [37] Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. [38] For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, [39] nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Psalm 118:6 KJV — The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Psalm 23:1-6 KJV [1] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. [2] He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. [3] He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. [4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. [5] Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for being the Good Shepherd. Thank You for laying down Your life for Your sheep. Lord Jesus, You care for Yours so tenderly. You don’t miss a single thing which occurs. You are very present and faithful. You lead Yours in the paths of righteousness. Lord, help me to recognize when I have strayed from that path, that I might repent and return to following You. Lord, it is because of Your holy name that my foot can tread this path at all. Lord, You are my protection and provision in every circumstance, but especially when darkness overshadows me and I am under persecution. Lord, Your Word is both instruction and correction to me. Thank You for Your rod and Your staff. Lord, thank You for the bread of life, Your precious sacrifice. Thank You for the physical food You supply daily as well as the spiritual food from Your Word. Lord, thank You for Your anointing. Thank You that my life is not a mistake, but rather a gift from You. Lord, thank You for calling me and for granting me the joy and privilege of serving others. Thank You for letting me by Your hands, Your feet. I know You are the One who supplies all my need. Lord, I desire to do Your will and to walk in Your ways. Lord, to live in Your presence for eternity, enjoying the riches of Your mercy and grace and goodness which I could never earn, but are freely given. Lord Jesus, thank You. Amen.
patientlyhopeful 