Understand the Father’s Love (2)

I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. - John 17:20-23

Yesterday, we considered the story of Lazarus, but today we will critically examine lessons to learn from this story:

(1) Develop an intimate relationship with the Lord in time of comfort. Be close to God when things are still working right for you. Many people do not learn until there is trouble. Do not wait for trouble before you pray. Remember, you will be responsible for your life, so be responsible enough to develop a relationship with Him. Many people fail because of wrong advisers around them. When you see a politician succeed well, it is because he listens to the advice of those that knew him when he had nothing. “Relationship” is important for greatness. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were close to Jesus at a time they did not envisage that Lazarus would die one day. No one looks for problems, no one thinks of trouble, but whether we think of it or not, trouble still comes.

Many years ago, in the ministry of David Yongi Cho, several schoolboys were involved in a poisonous gas explosion: including the son of this great minister. The enemy who knows how to make a mockery of us in the lowest level of our lives reminded the preacher that the evil that befell other preachers like him has also happened to him. While other parents sorrowfully buried their children, this man of God knelt to pray, and after several hours of praying, his son opened his eyes and started vomiting the poison. Praise God the young man is still alive today. If his father had not known how to pray in times of comfort, what would he have done in times of crisis?

Troubles do not announce themselves before they come; yet trouble comes to great and small. We all hate troubles, we all try to avoid trouble, but do you know that trouble makes us? In your life also, you will find out that the areas where you have succeeded most are the areas you have been able to successfully go through the mountains and obstacles the enemies had set against you. No trials, no triumph!

When there is an issue you cannot face, it is that time you know true friends. Thank God Martha and Mary sent for Jesus to come to their rescue. The Bible in verse 5 recognized that Jesus loved Mary and Martha, which shows love can be recognized. Develop a love relationship with God, and he will magnificently reciprocate it with goodness.