When Jesus arrived in Bethany, He was met with sorrow and despair. Lazarus, His dear friend, had been in the tomb for four days. To Martha and Mary, it seemed too late. Their hope had faded, and they believed death had the final word. Yet in the midst of their grief, Jesus declared a truth that transcends time and circumstance: “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in Me will live even if he dies” (John 11:25 AMP).
Jesus calls us to believe, even when our hopes seem dead. This is a common thread throughout Scripture. When Sarah laughed at the thought of bearing a child in her old age, God asked, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14 AMP). When Ezekiel stood in the valley of dry bones, God commanded him to prophesy life into what was lifeless, and the bones came alive by the power of God (Ezekiel 37:1-14). Over and over, the Bible reminds us that God specializes in reviving what seems beyond hope.
Martha, like many of us, struggled to reconcile her faith with her circumstances. She believed Jesus could have healed her brother before his death, but she doubted what He could do now. Yet Jesus gently reminded her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe [in Me], you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40 AMP). In Isaiah 55:8-9, God declares, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways… For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts” (AMP). God’s timing is not our timing, but His timing is perfect.
When Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb, He demonstrated that He is not bound by time, death, or human limitations. Just as He brought life to Lazarus, He can breathe life into your circumstances. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 3:20 that God “is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us”(AMP).
Jesus is asking you to trust Him. He is saying to you what He said to Jairus when his daughter was on the brink of death: “Do not be afraid; only believe [in Me and My power]”(Mark 5:36 AMP). Even when all seems lost, when time has passed, and when the situation appears final, God can still do anything.
Roll away the stone of fear, doubt, and unbelief. Trust that the same God who brought life to dry bones, raised Lazarus, and fulfilled His promises to Sarah can bring new life to the areas of your life that feel dead. His glory will shine when you place your hope in Him.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I thank You that nothing is too difficult for You. When my hopes feel dead and Your timing feels delayed, help me to believe that You are still working. Breathe life into my circumstances as You did with Lazarus, Sarah, and the dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision. Teach me to trust that Your ways are higher than mine and Your timing is always perfect. May I hold fast to Your truth and see Your glory revealed in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.