Stand still and see the deliverance of the Lord! But how can you be still in the midst of chaos and tragedy? If you want a miracle, if you want the blessing of God, there must come a time when you wait upon the Lord, and you are still in His presence. Sometimes you can’t change the future until you change the past: so much of your today is because of how you lived yesterday; that is why God offers forgiveness, healing and restoration.
Now it happened, the day after, that [Jesus] went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God. (Luke 7:11-16, NKJV)
This woman in the Bible story was in a desperate situation. I can imagine that she had spent many days and hours in prayer, calling upon God to work a miracle. Then the inevitable happened: her son died; her prayers weren’t answered, or so she thought. But when Jesus saw her, He was moved with compassion; Jesus spoke with her, trying to comfort her, but He knew only one thing mattered, she wanted her son back. Jesus touched the coffin, and those who carried it stood still. There comes a time for all of us when we must be still before the Lord: in the rush of life, in the chaos and confusion, in the tribulation and trials, you must stop a moment and wait upon the Lord.
Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10, NKJV)
And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.” (Exodus 14:13, NKJV)
I want you to meet with Jesus, just as this woman did. But you say, What is the point, it is too late. If that woman’s words were recorded in the Bible, I am sure they would be something like, ‘It’s too late; what can You do now?’ Isn’t that the great cry of our hearts, What can God do now?
So many times in our lives we say, Where is God? Where was God when it happened? Why didn’t He come sooner? How can He do anything now? It is too late! But it is never too late with God. No miracle is too great! Will you stop what you are doing for a moment. I want you to listen: Jesus loves you. He wants to give you a future. He wants to forgive the past. He wants to change the past.
In the Bible story the boy was dead. Only Jesus can change what has already happened. Sometimes you can’t change the future until you change the past. Do you understand? So much of your today is because of your yesterday. To give you a future, to bless you today, sometimes God has to change the past. And that is forgiveness; that is healing; that is deliverance - that is Jesus.
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord! (Psalm 27:14, NKJV)
I want to pray for you: Heavenly Father, show these people who Jesus is. Help them understand how loved they are by You. O God, change the past! Nothing and nobody else in the world: no drugs, no medicine, no alcohol, can change the past: only You can change the past and give new life and hope for the future. O God do it now! Do it now, in Jesus Name!
‘O Holy Night’ used by kind permission of www.vinesong.com