17 MAY

RIGHT PRIORITIES (2)
(MARTHA)

“Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

(John 11:21–22, NKJV)

Hurrah! Martha, who had been previously distracted with serving, grumbling and complaining had learnt to listen. She still served but with joy and this might not have been just domestic service, it might have been church service. She might have been a lay reader, an usher, a member of the guild of stewards, a chorister, and so on.

Martha showed deep insight with these profound words of truth which many did not know. In other words, she could have said to Jesus: You are the Healer and even though I know my brother’s illness was terminal, you would have touched him or spoken a word and he would have been healed. Even now, I know that he is clinically dead and buried for four days but you can still pray to the Father to raise him up and he will. That is immense faith! 

In the midst of our busyness, we must spend time in deep meditation for revelations of deep truths. How much of our time do we give to allow God the Holy Spirit to teach us from His Word and grow our faith? When do we have time to worship our Father God who created us for His pleasure? What would our loved ones, especially our children and spouses prefer – our time with basic needs or abundant resources with little or no time? 

Here is an interesting story from an unknown author: “I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day. I had so much to accomplish that I didn’t have time to pray. Problems just tumbled about me, and heavier came each task. “Why doesn’t God help me?” I wondered. He answered, “You didn’t ask.” I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on, grey and bleak. I wondered why God didn’t show me. He said, “But you didn’t seek!” I tried to come into God’s presence. I used all my keys at the lock. God gently and lovingly chided, “My child, you didn’t knock.” I woke up early this morning and paused before entering the day. I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.”

ACTION: Spend more time with the Lord and your loved ones.

PRAYER: Teach me to hear and understand you, Lord!