Do you believe this? —John 11:26
Martha believed in the power available to Jesus Christ; she believed that if He had been there He could have healed her brother; she also believed that Jesus had a special intimacy with God, and that whatever He asked of God, God would do. But— she needed a closer personal intimacy with Jesus. Martha’s theology had its fulfillment in the future. But Jesus continued to attract and draw her in until her belief became an intimate possession. It then slowly emerged into a personal inheritance— “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ…” (John 11:27).
Is the Lord dealing with you in the same way? Is Jesus teaching you to have a personal intimacy with Himself? Allow Him to drive His question home to you— “Do you believe this?” Are you facing an area of doubt in your life? Have you come, like Martha, to a crossroads of overwhelming circumstances where your theology is about to become a very personal belief? This happens only when a personal problem brings the awareness of our personal need.
To believe is to commit. In the area of intellectual learning I commit myself mentally, and reject anything not related to that belief. In the realm of personal belief I commit myself morally to my convictions and refuse to compromise. But in intimate personal belief I commit myself spiritually to Jesus Christ and make a determination to be dominated by Him alone.
Then, when I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and He says to me, “Do you believe this?” I find that faith is as natural as breathing. And I am staggered when I think how foolish I have been in not trusting Him earlier.
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November 6, 2014
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
Lord, it seems that when a crisis appears like the one that Martha faced, her brother sick and dying, I turn to you because I have nowhere else to go. When I am at the end of my own power, knowledge and resources, it is much easier to turn to You. When I cannot find any solution, it is natural that I turn to You. I pray that You will help me surrender myself, my life, activities, resources, and all that is occurring around me to You, regardless of the pressure or lack of pressure. Help me to surrender to You, be connected and remain curious, regardless of the pressure or circumstances.
And God says…”The human condition is that you will try and “do it yourself” until you cannot. The apostle Paul said that he learned how to be content with much or with little….Philippians 4 says from the Message, “Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” Paul learned, over time to trust Me regardless….but he too often let his own power and strength govern his responses when other disciples did not agree with him. This added pressure was instrumental in helping shape and mold him. Just as pressure helps shape you. Don’t try to get out of your trials too soon. Let them shape and mold you to a perfect result. (James 1). Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own devices and I will make your paths straight. Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart. And when you cannot find the faith or strength to trust Me; let my love, grace and mercy fill those needs as well. Remember that Jesus provided all you need, you simply need to surrender and accept His love, grace and mercy and remain curious.”
