Do you remember the story of Lazarus? Jesus resurrected him after four days of being dead, although many thought it felt like forever. All along, Jesus knew that He was going to resurrect Lazarus but He had to wait for the Father's timing. Can you imagine what his family went through during those four, long days? The many feelings, and emotions of grief, pain, and doubt.
I don't know about you, but this has been a very trying year for most people and we’ve all cried out at least once, "Lord, where are you?" But, unlike the family of Lazarus, we have the promises neatly written out for us in the Bible to reference and cling to in our painful moments of grief, doubt, and waiting on the Lord. Now, more than ever, we need to focus on the promises of God found in His Word and be reminded that Jesus is coming back soon and will heal all who believe in Him. Today, let's take some time to dive into God's Word, worship, pray, and focus our minds on the promises of God and not on the unknown timing.
Read the story of Lazarus in John 11:1-44.
Diving into God's Word
Read these truths we find in God’s Word concerning God’s divine and perfect timing:
"But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
Matthew 24:36-37 ESV
"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going."
John 14:1-4 ESV
“Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man. What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? ”
1 Corinthians 15:47-55 NLT
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NLT
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.”
Revelation 21:1-7 NLT
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 NLT
“O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! You show unfailing love to thousands, but you also bring the consequences of one generation’s sin upon the next. You are the great and powerful God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Jeremiah 32:17-18 NLT
“Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.”
2 Timothy 4:18 NLT
“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.”
2 Corinthians 5:1-10 NLT
“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”
Romans 12:12 NLT
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8 NLT
Psalm 143
Seeking His Face Through Prayer
Dear Lord -- We are patiently waiting for your beautiful promises that you have revealed to us through Your Word. We long for the day we receive a new body, mind, and perfect home to dwell and worship you. What a glorious, beautiful day that will be when you will wipe away every tear and we can finally see you face to face. We know that this world that we are in right now can be so cruel and become unbearable and heartbreaking at times. Lord, help us to run with endurance, lean on your strength, use this time on earth wisely sharing the gospel with others, and not lose focus on your constant, never-changing promises. Help us to submit to the Holy Spirit and to recognize your guidance. Amen.
Worship Through Song
There Will Be A Day
Into The Sea
Faithful Now
Yes I Will
Another In The Fire
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