expectation

The story of Lazarus being raised from the dead is one of my favorites for so many reasons, but mostly it shows so much of God's character. It is a good example of how He does things in His timing, His compassion for those He loves, and how when He shows up stuff happens. This morning in this passage there are two things that really got my attention. When Jesus said "Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God?" in this situation  He was essentially saying "are you going to trust Me despite what you see in the natural?" The other thing is when He prayed to Abba and said "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. Yes, I know You always hear and listen to Me". We need to have this attitude, boldness and confidence when we come before the throne of grace. Jesus was setting the example for us when we are in line with Abba and what He is doing we should live with that level of expectation, when we pray and minister to others.
John 11:39-45 "Jesus said, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead man, exclaimed, But Lord, by this time he [is decaying and] throws off an offensive odor, for he has been dead four days! Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God? So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. Yes, I know You always hear and listen to Me, but I have said this on account of and for the benefit of the people standing around, so that they may believe that You did send Me [that You have made Me Your Messenger]. When He had said this, He shouted with a loud voice, Lazarus, come out! And out walked the man who had been dead, his hands and feet wrapped in burial cloths (linen strips), and with a [burial] napkin bound around his face. Jesus said to them, Free him of the burial wrappings and let him go. Upon seeing what Jesus had done, many of the Jews who had come with Mary believed in Him. [They trusted in Him and adhered to Him and relied on Him.]"