By Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8.

Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8.

Last night after returning home we watched Season 4, Episode 7 of The Chosen on YouTube. Jesus’s friend, Lazarus, is raised from the dead, John 11:1-44. In the depiction on the show it showed Jesus and Lazarus sitting together and talking about what had happened. Can you imagine? How could they not? I kept thinking about that as I prayed last night. The Word…God…made flesh to live among us…came down from Heaven and Lazarus knew Him as his friend. How can we wrap our minds around that amazing truth? He did that for us. And then He showed them that even after 4 days dead in a tomb, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25, 26). Would those words help them after Jesus Himself was laid in a tomb? Lazarus asked why me? Everything God does is for a purpose for good. Have you met our Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit? Lazarus knew the Son as friend dearly loved who raised him, Lazarus, from the dead and yet would now be subject to death Himself because humans don’t want to give up power. Just words on a scroll and yet…now so horribly real to Lazarus…He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem. Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered Him punished by God, stricken by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:3-5. Words on a scroll become flesh and a friend.

How fitting our psalm, Psalm 130: Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let Your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption. He Himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

Do you believe this? Jesus’s words to Martha right before He raised Lazarus from the dead; and His words to you and me. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14.

Have you met God? He is the resurrection and the life, full of grace and truth, and He loves you.