NOT UNTO DEATH

My story today is inspired by a reflection on Lazarus who was raised by Jesus in John Chapter 11. When our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ pronounces life on someone, not even the devil can take it away.
Where was Jesus? The Son of Man had healed so many people effortlessly but upon getting the call of Mary and Martha, He “delayed”. Why didn’t He come immediately to the rescue of His sick friend?

John 11:4
“When He heard this, Jesus said, this sickness is not unto death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s son may be glorified through it”

I think of these words of Christ always, and recollecting my ordeal ever since I had the accident in August 2019, I feel like somewhat the Lord spoke those same words to me.
In the middle of the deep night and in the middle of nowhere so far away from home I got involved in an accident. With literally no help or medical attention within reach, God sent his angel in the form of a man who came by and helped me. I’m trying to imagine the devil dancing and celebrating that he had just gained some points or gained another into his fallen kingdom, since if i was to die, I would have died a sinner and hell would have been my destination. But what a Mighty God we serve, the Lord had pity on me(Someone’s prayer that night - could be my mother for she always prayed for me every night - got answered ) and spoke that in whatever situation I might be in, it will not be UNTO DEATH.
These are the Words of Christ when He was told of the illness of His beloved friend Lazarus.

Christ delayed for several days before finally attending to His friend and even went back to Judea to preach. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Jesus had raised the dead before and Martha wondered why his brother was dead. There was a young girl from Capernaum and even the son of the poor widow of Nain. Could Jesus do the same to Lazarus even after four days?
All over sudden Martha remembered the greatness of the Lord and said, “But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask”

Is God ever late?
Is the will of God always the best for us?
I would have died a sinner but the Lord saved me. NO, it wasn’t the hand of man that saved me: IT WAS THE HAND OF GOD.
Even when I was to undergo a second operation that was a misdiagnosis, God revealed the true problem and instead went for dialysis.
Even when my potassium levels hit 9.0 and my heart could have stopped, God stood by and kept me alive. And what do these events teach me?
I have seen the glory of God just as Jesus spoke of it and may His Name be Magnified forever.
Jesus said to Martha, “Your brother will rise again.”

Brethren, if we just believe in Christ, then nothing is impossible and whatever we ask in His Name will be answered or fulfilled and then Christ Name shall be glorified. I’m a living testimony.

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, “Lord
If you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Is God ever present? Does He see the calamities that befall His children?
I’ve heard of sad stories after my accident of my friends and family shedding tears. Upon arrival at AgaKhan Hospital Nairobi, my brother in law cried, my wife shed tears as she saw me lie lifelessly on the hospital bed, I’m told of my father whom couldn’t hold his tears because of  a son in pain, I’m told of a friend Mrs. Ratego Lillian who wept bitterly because of my state.
Personally I cried because of the pain and situation I was in.
Does God see our tears? Is it that important to Him?
Christ cried on the cross despite being the Son of God. He cried because of the physical pain of the nails and the wounds caused by the crown of thorns.
On this occasion, Jesus felt the pain of the mourners. Im led to question whether still Christ feels our pain and does He weep for us? Because on this very day Jesus wept.
Jesus saw on August 14th 2019 a sinner die. A sinner whose heart is and was loaded with lots of pain, questions and desire to be saved.
“Take away the stone” He called out loudly {Vs39}
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” {vs40}

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you for that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here that they believe that you sent me.” {Vs41/42}

God heard the prayers of my wife or my mother. God saw the tears of my brothers, sisters, wife, parents, friends and mine. God felt their grief and answered their prayers.
I might be paraplegic for now, but God has a good reason. THIS IS AN ANSWERED PRAYER!

And so, Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” and the dead man came out his hand wrapped with strips of linen and a cloth round his face. {Vs43/44}

God is never late. God hears the cries of a righteous man and answers their prayers. May His name continue to be praised forever and ever, AMEN!!