He Whom You Love

John 11-
Mary and Martha were really worried.
Their brother Lazarus was deathly ill.
They sent a runner to Jesus with the message,
"He whom you love is sick...Come quickly!"

But He didn't come until it was too late-
Until Lazarus was in the tomb for
four disillusioning, faith-disturbing,
sorrow-overwhelming days.

But when He did come,
He resurrected Lazarus
from the dead,
for the honor and glory
of God.

What a story!

It's often the little words that jump out and grab me.

Notice Mary and Martha's description
of Jesus and Lazarus in one little phrase-
"He whom you love..."

I think I am going to start praying that way.

"Lord, she whom you love is walking through the valley of
the shadow of death. Please come and be with her
in tangible ways and walk hand in hand with her
into your glorious land."

"Lord, he whom you love is worried about making ends meet.
Please come and give wisdom and ideas and jobs
and a miracle."

"Lord, he whom you love has lost his way.
Please come and navigate him back into
truth and credibility."

And the he and she we pray for can be ourselves.

I love it.

"Lord, he whom you love is sick..."
"Lord, she whom you love needs you..."

In one little phrase,
we combine His Lordship,
His personal love for us,
and our need.

And in His own way,
in His own timing,
He will come to our aid.