Great is Thy Faithfulness

“Jesus wept.”
John 11:35 (NKJV)

I cry at weddings, funerals, graduations, prize-givings and soppy movies.  I don’t watch X factor and their ilk as, you guessed it, the background stories make me cry!

Christ cried at the death of his friend Lazarus.  Was He saddened at the apparent lack of understanding; was He just not ready for Lazarus to go?

My friend died this year.

When death touches us like that, life can take on a whole new meaning. We can get a glimpse of how God possibly sees this world, tangential or at least the things we are all striving for.  God tells us in Matthew 6:33 that we should “seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Whereas we tend to get caught up in seeking ‘all the things that shall be added unto us’.  Our treasure, if we are not focussed, tends to be here on earth where moth and rust corrupts and thieves steal (verse 19).  But we can’t serve two masters (verse 24).

Just how God used the death of Lazarus to show the glory of God (John 11:40), so He can use the tragedies in our lives for good: Roman 8:28 says that all things work for good for those who love God.  Lamentations shows us God’s faithfulness to us when we lose focus:  He forgives us and renews His mercies with us each morning (Lamentations 3:21-23), which gives us hope.

And yes, I cried at my friend’s funeral, but then again I was in good company!

Prayer
Father in heaven, may Your mercies towards mankind continually be renewed and Your faithfulness remain steadfast. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen 

Study by Jackee Brown

______________________________________________________

About the Author:
Jackee Brown is a member in the Worldwide Church of God UK Congregation in London.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God London
Indian YMCA Student Hostel
Mahatma Gandhi Hall
41 Fitzroy Square
LONDON
W1T 6AQ

Meeting Time:
Saturday 2:30pm

Local Congregational Contact:
Martin Ryan
Phone:  020 8202 3998
Email: martin_ryan@wcg.org.uk