As a believer of the living Word of God, what kind of situation is considered as no hope by all that surrounds you? Your situation is clearly defined as no hope and all that surrounds you are only waiting to see you get over the grief of your situation. Also, in your response and behavior, there is demonstration of no hope and that all is lost. Today, do not take the Word of God only as an advice but rather take it as the prophetic living Word of God so that your situation is not of death but to the glory of God. Lazarus was not sleeping but he was dead. Lazarus was dead cold and there was no evidence of life in him. Lazarus had been prepared and positioned among the dead. Sorrow, grief and pain had taken over the popular position among the family and neighbors in regard to the death of Lazarus. Your situation has not gone down to the place of the dead just like that of Lazarus. His sisters and family knew that he was dead and he could not possibly come back to life. His sisters were wondering why there was delay from Jesus. As a result of the fact that Jesus delayed His arrival to the situation, Lazarus gained a position among the dead. Jesus is the healing Healer; He alone is the One who reverses the irreversible. He is the One who shows up in every time of need and He never fails to deliver. Above all, Jesus is the God of the eleventh hour because He does not operate with man-made time. Before Jesus could raise Lazarus, He warned, “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John11:26) Jesus questioned about the location of the dead, “…Where have you laid him…?” (John 11:34) After getting the location, Jesus gave a command: “Take away the stone…” (John 11:39) After Jesus’ response to the situation, He emphasized the need for believe. Jesus believed that God was going to bring Lazarus back to life and as a result, Jesus did not wait for Lazarus to rise before He thanked God for Lazarus’ rising from dead. “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.’” (John 11:41) Thanking Him before thanksgiving will bring an end to your painful situation. Lazarus was commanded back to life by Jesus and he was let loose and let go. Thanking God before thanksgiving provokes the hand of God for the undeniable.

Prayer for today: Father I ask in Jesus name for a heart of thanks giving.