EVERYONE has some grounds for belief.
Lazarus, one of Jesus’ closest friends, was deathly ill. The sick man’s two sisters, Martha and Mary, sent an urgent “come quick” message to Jesus. When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death” (John 11:4a). What would look like an end would be transformed into a new beginning.
Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days (John 11:6). In place of “Yet,” other translations say “In spite of that,” “Surprisingly,” and “But oddly.” How often does God’s timing seem odd to you? Do you think God actually enjoys surprising people, or is He just being God while we are not being God?
Two days later Jesus and His men made the trip to Mary and Martha’s home on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Before leaving, however, the disciples had questioned the wisdom of going back to where Jesus had so recently experienced a close brush with death.
Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world’s light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light” (John 11:9-10). Jesus here equates daylight with sticking close to Him and perceiving what God is doing. He equates stumbling with drifting from Him and becoming confused about God’s acts.
Then Jesus told the guys that Lazarus had fallen asleep and that He was going to wake His friend up. “Great,” the disciples said, “if he’s sleeping, he’s getting better.”
“Actually,” the Lord finally told them, “he is DEAD.” Dead. Dead. Dead. Not only “mostly dead” like the guy in the movie Princess Bride, but totally dead.
And then He went on to say, “ … I am glad for your sakes that I wasn’t there. You’re about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let’s go to him” (John 11:14-15, msg). God loves to give us “new grounds for believing.” In fact, that’s what the book of John is all about (check out John 20:31).
Do some people have more grounds for believing than others? Yes, but everyone has some grounds. Whatever ground for faith God has given you, build something on it! Be honest about your doubts and exercise your faith. Keep believing even when it seems impossible. Don’t put a period where God puts a comma.
Life Challenge: Can you think of one time you’ve been in the dark and stumbled recently? Get closer to Jesus. You’ll see better.