Faith Overcomes Disobedience, Doubt and Death

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post in the archives, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog. I invite to you add in any reflections or comments you may have.

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will

Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Devotions: Ps 2, 110:1-5; Jonah 2:2-9; Eph 6:10-20; Jn 11:17-27, 38-44

The powers of this world seek to free themselves from God’s limits, and run things themselves. But God, enthroned in heaven, laughs at them with derision. His wrath is upon them, and His chosen King will rule over all creation—God’s only-begotten Son will rule with a rod of iron. Let mortals bow to Him, lest He become angry and we perish! Blessed are all who take refuge in Jesus. God has promised to make Him the Ruler of all; now Jesus is at God’s right hand, as coming King and eternal Priest; when He comes, all the worldly powers will be swept away and God’s rule will be established everywhere.

Jonah prayed to God from the fish’s belly; God had cast him into the deep for disobedience and rebellion. He had sunk to the bottom of the sea, to the roots of the mountains. But God lifted him from the pit; when Jonah remembered God and prayed, God delivered him, and the prophet rejoiced, and obeyed God’s commands.

Paul teaches: Be strong in the Lord; put on His strength, so that you can stand against the wiles of the devil. Our enemies are not mortal, but they are the spiritual forces of evil and darkness: principalities, powers, world rulers in this present darkness, spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places. We can stand, but only with the whole armor God has provided: girded with truth, shielded with righteousness as a breastplate, shod with the gospel of peace; faith to quench the enemy’s flaming darts; the helmet of salvation protecting our renewed minds, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We put this equipment to use through Spirit-filled prayer. Like Jesus, Paul tells us to stay alert, to persevere, to intercede, and to pray in particular for God’s emissaries, that all may speak God’s truth with boldness and proclaim the gospel mystery, to the benefit of all.

After a deliberate wait of several days, during which Lazarus died, Jesus and His disciples arrived at Bethany. Lazarus had been buried four days. Many Jews had come to comfort Mary and Martha in the loss of their brother. Martha came out to meet Jesus; Mary sat in their house. Martha greeted Jesus: ‘Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Even know I now God will give You whatever You ask of Him.’ Jesus replied, ‘Your brother will rise!’ Martha said, ‘I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’ Jesus said, ‘I Am the Resurrection and the Life; whoever believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. And whoever believes in Me while alive shall never die. Do you believe this?’ Martha said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, He Who is coming into the world.’ After talking with Mary, Jesus proceeded to the tomb where Lazarus was buried, a cave sealed with a stone. Jesus was deeply moved; finally, He spoke: ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha protested. “Lord, there will be a terrible odor by now; he has been dead four days.’ But Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?’ So they removed the stone. Jesus lifted His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You hear Me, but I have said this on account of the people standing here, that they may believe that You have sent Me.’ Then Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus! Come out!’ And the man who had been dead came out to Him. Lazarus’ hands and feet were still bound with bandages, and his face was wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to the people,’ Unbind him, and let him go.’