*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL* *MONDAY, DECEMBER 2 2019* *WHERE WAS GOD?* *TEXT:* JOHN 11:33-40.

*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL*

*MONDAY, DECEMBER 2 2019*

*WHERE WAS GOD?*

*TEXT:* JOHN 11:33-40.

_*🔑KEY VERSE* "And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?" (JOHN 11:37)._

Comforting a grieving family is one of the hardest things to do in the ministry. Sometimes, words are not enough and it is often challenging to find the right words to say. In times of grief, some questions are difficult, if not impossible to answer, especially from those wondering why God preferred not to intervene in preventing the death of a loved one.

Our text focuses on the visit of Christ to the sisters of Lazarus after his death. When He witnessed the sorrow and tears, He was moved to tears. When Christ requested to visit to the grave site, many thought the situation was already out of hand but He commanded them to take away the stone, to enable them see the glory of God.

Life is a mystery and full of many unanswered questions. Things can change so fast that it leaves us without any explanation or answers. The people who came to mourn with Mary and Martha couldn't understand why God allowed Lazarus, a friend of Christ to die of this illness. The two sisters equally wondered why Christ delayed in coming after they'd sent for Him when their brother's case became critical. They believed, if Christ had been there, Lazarus would not have died.

Whenever calamity strikes, we should always remember that God understands and is in control of everything. God is on the throne and never changes. We may never understand why certain things happen and why God, in His wisdom allowed them. If we can figure out everything that God does, then He will no longer be God. We must learn to accept what we cannot change and move on, especially after we have prayed fervently to prevent it. God certainly knows the best and will give us His best.

*✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY* Let go and let God have His way.

*COVER TO COVER* DANIEL 11-12.

*MEDITATION*

Delay is not denial

*1. The compassion of Jesus* vv33-36,38.
a. How does Jesus feel when your challenges weigh on your emotions? Hebrews 4:15,16;5:1,2.
b. His compassion is a proof of His willingness to bring immediate relief or solution.
*Praise* God for His compassion on you🙏
*Praise* God for His power and willingness to give you immediate solutions to all your challenges🙏
*2. The omnipotence of Jesus* v37.
a. Ask your question: Can not Jesus solve this problem?
b. Is there any problem that surpasses solution before the omnipotent Christ? v37, 39b.
c. "For with God, nothing shall be impossible" v40.
*Call* on this same Jesus for your needed miracles🙏
*Pray* that the retreat time will be miracle time for all🙏
*3. Actions of faith* vv39,40.
a. Faith is the key to turn all impossibilities to possibilities v40.
b. A step must be taken as an evidence of faith v39. It may be persevering prayer or any other divinely inspired instruction.
*Lord*, give me the needed revelation or instructions for my miracle🙏
*Lord*, increase my faith🙏

*HYMN* Never give up

1. Never be sad or desponding,
If thou hast faith to believe;
Grace, for the duties before thee,
Ask of thy God and receive.
*Refrain:*
Never give up,
Never give up,
Never give up to thy sorrows,
Jesus will bid them depart;
Trust in the Lord,
Trust in the Lord,
Sing when your trials are greatest,
Trust in the Lord and take heart.
2 What if thy burdens oppress thee;
What though thy life may be drear;
Look on the side that is brightest,
Pray, and thy path will be clear. [Refrain]
3 Never be sad or desponding,
There is a morrow for thee;
Soon thou shalt dwell in its brightness,
There with the Lord thou shalt be. [Refrain]
4 Never be sad or desponding,
Lean on the arm of thy Lord;
Dwell in the depths of His mercy,
Thou shalt receive thy reward. [Refrain]