Believest Thou This?

"Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.  Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die, Believest thou this?"  Jesus and Martha speaking after the death of her brother Lazarus.  John 11:23-26

Mary and Martha had just lost their brother.  In their grief, one sister remained in the house and was 'still,' while the other sister ran out to meet Jesus.  In a sense, there was a confrontation to be had.  Martha told Jesus that if he had just been there, her brother would not have died.  Can you imagine that type of greeting?  Blame is often a part of grief.  But, after honest words, Martha reluctantly admitted in verse 22, "But I know...."

It's easy to trust God and believe on all of His promises when life is going pretty well.  Everyone is happy, healthy, no troubles, trials or stress.  But it's a little different when we are suddenly faced with something that hits us out of the blue.   Something we were not expecting.  That's where the 'rubber hits the road.'  It's when we need to start LIVING the faith that we TALK about.

When Jesus told Martha that her brother would live again, she assumed what He was trying to tell her.  She already knew that her brother would live in the resurrection, but little did she know that in just a moment, a wonderful Miracle was about to occur!  And when Jesus told her that He Himself, was the resurrection and the life, He asked her a very pointed question:  "Believest thou this?"  Jesus already knew the answer Martha would give, but I don't think He asked this question for Himself, but asked this question for Martha to ask herself..."Do I believe?"

I had to ask myself some very tough questions:

-When Jesus tells me He will never leave me or forsake me- " Believest thou this?

-When Jesus tells me to cast all my cares upon Him because He cares for me-"Believest thou this?

-When Jesus promises me a peace that passes all understanding- "Believest thou this?"

-When Jesus tells me to call on Him because He will answer me- "Believest thou this?"

Read some of God's promises, then ask yourself, "Believest thou this?"

Sometimes the fear of circumstances will allow us to wonder where God is or wonder why we are going through something so difficult.  But when we pray and search our hearts, like Martha, we can say, 'But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee."

    Yes, Lord.  I choose to believe-

        But that's just me!

"Believe God's love and power more than you believe your own feelings and experiences.  Your Rock is Christ, and it is not the rock that ebbs and flows, but the sea."  Samuel Rutherford