Remember not the former things; the unpleasant twists in your experience this last year. God is set to do a new thing; for to everything there is a time, a season and the appointed time when God makes specific things beautiful. Before he does a new thing he gives indications, and man’s misery is continually great upon him for failing to know both the time and the purpose attached to such times. Any attempt, therefore, to move over with your expectation and plans into a new season without knowing how to key them into God’s vision for your life in the season will result in frustration. I would want you to know that HELP IS ON THE WAY and that you should GET READY FOR YOUR DEFINING MOMENTS - JOHN 11.1-45.
The crisis in the past could have made you to question the relationship that you have with the Lord, or if he is ever concerned about you. You have wondered why you were sick or broke, stumbling and falling. You have been like a certain man, Lazarus (whose name in Hebrew, Eleazar means ‘helped of God’) who was so sick that he could not personally call on the Lord but was blessed notwithstanding for not being alone; he belonged to a family that could send prayers to the Lord to inform and plead with him that the one he loved was sick. And there was a SOLUTION IN SPITE OF THE CONDITION, for when the Lord got the message he declared that the sickness wasn’t to death but by reason of opportunity it is for the glory of God – 2 Cor. 12.9-10, and that others might believe.
The condition got worse, because in spite of the serious condition and an urgent call, the response was delayed - Christ stayed where he was (delayed) for two days.
Did he not hear the prayer?
I thought when I ask according to his will he hears and answers?
To make the matter worse when he was set to move, the disciples indicated a reason why he should not.
And why should my circumstance be posed against my answer?
The good news, however, that point towards the season 2009, was that instead of the Lord assenting to the situation around Lazarus’ condition and turning his face away from the direction of Bethany, he gave an analogy that holds much lesson. Twelve hours, he said, are in the day; they provide opportunity for work and when you respond to that time when there is light, there would be no mishap.
He was in essence saying that there was an opportune timeframe to answer to Lazarus need, and that nothing else could stand against that which has to be done. When the season of light comes man must respond to it by making the right move. When the season of light is come with its opportunity it also enlightens one to see the problem in a new vein. Your condition can’t be too much or too bad for our friend Lazarus is not dead but sleeps, and we’ve got to go wake him up.
That might not be understood by everyone, but that is just the truth about this year. Effort to make them know that your situation is quite serious would only cause them to come up with a sincere agenda to identify with your predicament and not your victory. But it shall not be according to their thought; it shall be according to the light for this season; the word which God has spoken: Your condition can’t be too much or too bad for the season for your help is here shall be fulfilled.
An OPPORTUNED SEASON or defining MOMENTS are such times that stand out from others – ecc. 9.11; A season of light when things could be done or made possible; When mishap could be avoided because of the presence of light; and a time when an easy way is found out of a problem (he sleeps, let’s go wake him). When such time comes you have a lighter perception about your condition (he sleeps) and not necessarily a denial of the fact concerning the condition (then said Jesus ... plainly)
HELP IS ON THE WAY IN SPITE OF THE WORSENED CONDITION. The body though have been buried for four days; the stage already set for mourning and commiseration; regret, already being voiced, for if the response had come earlier it would not have gone this bad to a state seemingly beyond repairs. Listen to the words of the Lord to you “Your brother shall rise again.” Your problem shall be solved.
And you must realise that the Lord is concerned; touched by your plight; moved by your evident unbelief; and he is saying to you “if you believe, you will see the glory of the Lord.” The word glory here defines the essence of God’s nature, will, and ability. Christ’s word actually means that if you believe, you will see all of God in your life, for he is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all you ask or imagine. Get ready for the help, for it is on the way! But CAN YOU WORK TOGETHER WITH GOD THIS YEAR?
Those who shall experience him this year would be those who see the light (the word of God) enough to respond in faith to the Lord. I am not denying the fact that you too could be like Martha who wants her brother back from the dead, but feels it can only get better bye and bye.
I am also not oblivious of some others possibly being like the more devoted Mary (they have their regrets about the delay), but would be comforted that the Lord has come.
He expects of you this year faith and not presumption. Faith does not only commit all to the Lord, it also obeys the instruction and the directions by responding in action (an indication that it is not dead– Jm. 2.26). Presumption, however, asks for what it cannot see as possible; expects the entire process to be of the Lord without seeing the need for obedient actions that collaborate with Him.
True faith responds to divine direction and works together with God. If you would receive the help this year, you should also be ready to collaborate with him by taking away the stone in obedience to his command and your dead shall be raised
To experience the best of God this New Year, I plead with you...
1. Be persuaded that he loves you and maintain a steady relationship with him – Eph. 3.17-21; Jn. 13.1; Rom. 8.35. Stop questioning why you are in your condition and if he ever loves you.
2. See God’s opportunity in your plight no matter how serious it is – 2 Cor. 12.9-10. Your situation is not terminal and it is not even an end in itself. In this year there shall be an opportunity in it for the Lord and for the glory of his name. It shall be an opportunity for God’s glory and a potential testimony to cause others to believe. This is why you should realise that the delay is not a denial, but a stalling for the right opportunity and a defining moment that will be right for the change you need
3. Go for light and consider neither your plight nor your circumstance by embracing God’s word – Jn. 2.5 and aligning your perspective to what God sees in spite of all odds – Zech 4.6-7.
External conditions notwithstanding this year, the Lord will fulfil his word in your life. T here is no reason why he should not or may not because there is one superior reason - your time has come. Every sincere agenda to commiserate with you because of the knowledge of your present plight shall not see the light of the day. An end has come to your regrets and to your doubts.
4. Believe in your God and let the condition of your heart be superior to your circumstances – 2 Chro. 20.20; 1 Jn. 4.4; 5.4, not by being presumptuous, but by collaborating with God in obedience – Jm. 2.26.
Against all odds, this year, you will win in your situations. Repeated schemes and conspiracies against you, notwithstanding, you will repeatedly come out on tops. As you learn the rules of the game and cease from presumptuous tendencies, you will have your insufficiencies and inadequacies complemented by His grace and mercy.
“For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
"Listen to Me, My people; And give ear to Me, O My nation: For law will proceed from Me, And I will make My justice rest as a light of the peoples.
My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, And My arms will judge the peoples; The coastlands will wait upon Me, And on My arm they will trust.
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, And look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, The earth will grow old like a garment, And those who dwell in it will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not be abolished.” Isa 51:3-6
Again I looked throughout the earth and saw that the swiftest person does not always win the race, nor the strongest man the battle, and that wise men are often poor, and skillful men are not necessarily famous; but it is all by chance (opportunity), by happening to be at the right place at the right time. Eccl 9:11-12 TLB
Isaac Tolu Boluwatise
