Why Is This Happening?

So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” … “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”  John 11:14-15, 34-37 

Do you find yourself asking Jesus, “Why?”

Why me?
Why my marriage?
Why my spouse?
Why?

Mary and Martha found themselves in a situation where they had some “why” questions of their own. Why did Jesus not respond immediately to Mary and Martha’s message asking for his help with Lazarus? Why did Jesus wait until Lazarus had been dead for four days? The answer is simple but very complicated for you and me to understand and then live through our own periods of waiting on God’s timing. God had a much bigger plan and purpose.

I used this compelling story about Lazarus in John Chapter 11 for a particular purpose today. I know how your feelings are swaying from one side of the pendulum to the other. I pray that you will read this devotional prayerfully, asking the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart about your feelings and emotions. Jesus understands and went through His own emotions and feelings many times while He was here on earth.

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were very close friends of Jesus. When Lazarus became seriously ill, the sisters knew Jesus’ power in healing, so they sent for Jesus for intervention in healing their brother. Would you not expect Jesus to go? Of course! But God had a much different plan and purpose in how Jesus was to handle the circumstances. God sees all your pain and suffering, and he wants to do something greater for you, your spouse, and your family if He waits for His perfect timing to restore your marriage.

What are you to do while all these marriage problems are happening? You must serve the Lord daily with His strength, His love, His joy, and peace that are beyond our understanding. This is one of the main secrets in standing for your marriage to be restored. Let me share a powerful scripture that you should memorize:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4-7 

I have learned that the Lord wants us to praise Him in the darkest hours, thanking Him that He is in control. Thank Him that He is removing the walls of unforgiveness, hostility, and anger from you and your spouse every day. We must live a life of trusting the Lord, expecting and waiting for the Lord to move our mountains of circumstances. Do not give up on God or stop standing or be swayed by what your spouse is doing. God can move the mountain suddenly. Walk in faith. Remember what happened to Lazarus.

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time, there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you 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 may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”  John 11:38-44 

Ask the Lord to guide and direct your every step to keep you on the right pathway to get your marriage rebuilt and restored by the power of the Holy Spirit. Regardless of all the mistakes you have made, God can make your paths straight. All you need to do is lean on Him, learn from Him, and follow Him to do everything His way!

I have learned from experience that you do not want to live by focusing on your circumstances. Learn to give all your troubles to your Lord, casting all your burdens on Him. He is the only One who can change everything.

Never stop believing in the power of the Lord Jesus Christ!

God bless,