Did I Not Tell You!

**Funny how God works. I was in the middle of typing this post when I was interrupted by my sick child. We ended up at the Children's Hospital and were there all day! Talk about practicing what you preach! Yikes! It was hard!**



This past Sunday our pastor spoke on the familiar story of Lazarus. I was sitting against the very back wall trying my best to pay attention. The sound of Ryder crying in the lobby was quite a distraction. Towards the end, the pastor read John 11:40 - Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” He made a point to emphasis the words "DID I NOT TELL YOU." It hit me!

Just 17 verses earlier Jesus had told Martha that her brother would rise again. She responded by saying she knew he would rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said, "I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" Martha said, "Yes, Lord."

How quickly she forgot the Lord's promise! He had just told her Lazarus would rise again, but when the Lord commanded the stone to be rolled away from the tomb in verse 39, Martha was concerned with her brothers odor because he had been there 4 days. "But, Lord," she said.

I can be like Martha everyday. I have need to be reminded often of the Lord's promises to me. Jesus did not give a direct answer to Martha's "but" nor does he give her any particular promise. He simply orders her to BELIEVE.

So, as everyday struggles come, I try to say to myself, "DID I NOT TELL YOU, CHRISTINE!" Just that little phrase turns my thoughts from my circumstance and onto all the wonderful promises in God's Holy Word. Try it! The next time you are struggling, say to yourself, "DID I NOT TELL YOU!"

I thought I would end with just some of God's promises to us.

DID I NOT TELL YOU, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

DID I NOT TELL YOU, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor 12:9

DID I NOT TELL YOU, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you." Psalm 32:8

DID I NOT TELL YOU, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the I will deliver you out of them all." Psalm 34:19

DID I NOT TELL YOU, "Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and I will save." Isaiah 46:4

DID I NOT TELL YOU, "I am good to those who wait for me, to the soul who seeks me." Lamentations 3:25

DID I NOT TELL YOU, "I will supply every need of yours." Phillipians 4:19

DID I NOT TELL YOU, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay." Romans 12:19

DID I NOT TELL YOU, "In all things God works for the good of those who love him." Romans 8:28

DID I NOT TELL YOU, "I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

DID I NOT TELL YOU, "Nothing will separate you from my love." Romans 8:37-39

And back to what Jesus told Martha in John 10:25. DID I NOT TELL YOU, "If you believe in me, you will never die."

If we take God's Word and rely on his power and faithfulness, we shall see the glory of God. And, IF YOU BELIEVE, you have a spiritual life that death cannot conquer. What blessed assurance!

These are just some quick promises I thought of. Go ahead and search for promises yourself. They are all over God's Word. And when you find one that encourages your soul, comment and share it with me.