God is Always in Control! (John 11:45NIV) Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in Him. We have walked through the entire Lazarus account. It started off with Jesus receiving word that Lazarus was sick. He said, “This sickness will not end in death, No it is for God’s glory that God’s Son may be glorified through it” when He found out. Yesterday we saw that Lazarus was raised from the dead after four days and then loosed of his grave clothes. This morning’s text bring closure to the whole matter. Many of the Jews who had been there mourning with Mary and Martha were present when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. This tremendous miracle served as evidence to them that Jesus was the Messiah and they put their faith in Him. Jesus’ statement that this sickness was for God’s glory was made manifest. God did get the glory and the Good Shepherd received new sheep because of it. But we also have to remember that for these people to come to God and for God to get the glory, there was a family in the middle of the story that had to go through a tremendously painful ordeal. Lazarus had to experience sickness and eventual death for four days. Mary and Martha had to experience the loss of the their brother and the hurt in knowing that Jesus had received word, but that He had not yet arrived. God permitted this tragedy to enter the arena of this family’s life and remember that these were people that He loved. So what does this mean to you today? A few things: 1. Sometimes bad things happen to good people, for the glory of God. 2. When God brings you through a storm, share your testimony, so that God would get the glory. 3. Learn from other people’s experiences so that God would not have to send you through all the experiences yourself. 4. It’s never too late for God and it is not over until He says it’s over. 5. God is always in Control! 6. Delay does not mean denial! 7. Whatever God permits to enter the arena of your life, He has purpose wrapped up in! In Jesus’ name. Amen!

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