What do you think would help you with most of the problems of life? Maybe if your very best friend was a millionaire! Even if that was true it wouldn't really be the answer! There is a friendship in life that can help, and it is one which you can have. It will not remove all your problems, but let us discover some of the wonderful advantages in this special friendship.
Two sisters sent word to Jesus about their brother saying, "Lord, the one you love is sick." (verses 2-3.)
You see, because a person loves God doesn't mean an end to the troubles and trials of everyday life - but having JESUS as your Saviour and special Friend can make a great difference!
"Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days"! (verse 5.) He said to His disciples, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." (verse 4.)
When God allows those who love and trust Him to go through difficulties and trials, they must learn to continue in their faith, not moved from the hope held out in the Gospel. (Colossians 1:23. 2nd Corinthians 1:8-11.) The trusting child of God can be sure the end result of God's plan for them will be "good, pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2. 8:28.)
Two days later when Jesus said to His disciples, "Let us go back to Judea," they replied "a short while ago the Jews tries to stone You, and yet You are going back there?" Jesus answered, "A man who walks by day will not stumble. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light." (verses 7-10.) Just as a person who is walking in daylight can walk confidently so Jesus was showing that the one who walks according to His instructions needn’t fear that they might be taking a wrong step. (Proverbs 3:5-6. Psalms 119:9-11.)
But to refuse to live your life in the light of Jesus' instructions in the Holy Bible, is like setting out to stumble through darkness - and to end up being lost forever! (John 3:18-19.)
Jesus' perfect timing and plans for His children may not always seem best at the time! (Isaiah 55:8-9.) Jesus' disciples were shocked to hear Him say, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him," (verses 11-15.) The disciples went along with Him expecting nothing but sadness and trouble! (verse 16.) But the conclusion of Jesus' plans in this was not going to be a disappointment to them!
Is Jesus your Saviour and Friend? If not, you should put your trust in Him right now! Then you will not want to miss out on the great privilege that comes with life's greatest Friendship - that comfort of being able to rely on Jesus' wisdom and power to bring all who trust in Him through life's difficulties.
We will discover in the next "talk" that those in this story from John chapter 11, verses 1-16, suffered needless worry, because they doubted Jesus love and power.
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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