John 11: 17-27

17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

21"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."

23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."

24Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

27"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

My beloved Jesus~
I believe that You are the Son of God. Thank you for hearing my plea and coming to my house where You are loved, revered, and blessed. You did not come immediately, but I’m glad You came when You did. Through faith, hope and prayer I ran to You, like Martha. Falling at Your feet, I claimed Your promises:

• You would not leave me or forsake me.
  
• Although I was walking through the frightening valley of death, You were with me. I had nothing to fear. I believed that You would safely take my loved one to Your Father’s house, and comfort me along the way.

You were present in the midst of my grief. In Your presence, my sadness melted. A ray of hope pierced through the darkness. I knew beyond a shadow of doubt that my loved one would live, even if he died. Because of You, he would never die. Hallelujah!

When I was helpless, hopeless and heartbroken, I believed Your promises. You turned my focus from sickness and sadness to splendid salvation. I praise You!

Thank You for using disease, death and despair to develop my faith. I BELIEVE because I have seen You. I have felt the touch of Your power and glory! I will never be the same again! Truly, You are Christ, the Son of God. Amen.

When you face difficult circumstances do you wallow in self-pity like Mary, or do you run to Jesus, like Martha? There is an appropriate time to sit at the feet of Jesus as Mary had done earlier, and a time to run to him and cast your cares at his feet. He will meet you there! Run!