Here are three more things we learn from the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead:

1) Whatever we’ve lost, God can restore. One of the great promises in Scripture is that God can ‘restore to you the years’ that life has stolen (see Joel 2:25). Claim that promise, and ask God to replace, restore, and renew what’s been lost. He has the power to do it.

2) Whatever we’re bound by, God can set us free. ‘He cried…“Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes…Jesus said…“Loose him, and let him go”’ (John 11:43-44 NKJV). Today God’s power is greater than any habit, hang-up, or circumstance that has us ‘bound’. Even if we can’t fully understand how it works, let’s allow our faith to respond to Him. Pray with the psalmist: ‘Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it’ (Psalm 119:34-35 NKJV). When we pray that prayer, our faith will grow and circumstances that seem impossible to us right now can be changed by God’s power.

3) No matter how bad we feel, God understands. At Lazarus’ funeral, ‘Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”’ (John 11:35-36 NKJV). This story proves we serve a God who can give us back what we’ve lost, and also a God who cares about what we’re going through (see Hebrews 4:15). So if you’re hurting today, turn to Him and let Him help you.

What Now?

Are you feeling the pain of loss today? God cares about how you’re feeling, so take time to talk with Him about what you’re going through, and ask Him to give you a fresh awareness of His comforting presence.