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God Gives Comfort

John 11:35

2020 has been a most distressing year in our recent history. Every country around the globe has been smacked by the Covid 19 Coronavirus and we are all like drunks staggering about trying to find our way through the storm. The Covid victims reached 34,000,000 around the globe. This is 14,000,000 more than in August, 2020.

Covid 19 Novel virus has devastated the whole world with its invisible tentacles clutching everyone in its path, destroying and not being destroyed, but evolving rapidly to maim and harm anyone it can harm. We have all endured this torment since the beginning of 2020, from Italy to India, everyone has been affected and the death rate has been nothing short of horrific. We all know about this pandemic because we need to know and to avoid it all costs. Of course many are doing their best to help, even giving their own lives and family as a sacrifice for others. They are the jewels in the crown, the wonderful, brave souls that fought this enemy to the end of their own existence.

Two nights ago I was in a distressed mode after reading some disturbing news. I woke up at 2:00 AM (I was hot) and I cried and sobbed over my sadness. I felt as if I could get up and make a drink to calm down. Then I checked my beloved, and guess what, he too was awake, worried. It was such a relief! Together we had a cup of coffee (sorry, we don't like decaf), and talked for a bit. We also tried to find something interesting to watch on TV, but it was all repeated programmes and nonsense (as usual). We comforted each other and then a few hours later went back to grab another short sleep before the day woke us up again.

For me, this was God's comfort, the sharing with another close friend who understood precisely what I was feeling (thanks hun!) I definitely felt comforted in my heart and soul. As I lay and tried to get back to sleep, joined by a few happy waking birds, (one sounded like a big drop of water dripping)  I saw a great crowd of people in my vision. As I looked the group fanned out like a real fan spreads out. As far as the eye could see the fan expanded in the distance. I felt as if the Lord was near and these were people covering the whole earth following Jesus. It was surreal as it was unexpected and I am still not sure exactly if or what it meant. But, I was truly comforted and I felt the Lord kissing my heart (weird and wonderful). It was sublime and nobody can tell me it was not Jesus Himself.

In this passage above, Mary the beloved of Jesus is weeping, along with many women. Jesus goes from angry in his spirit (33) to weeping a few minutes later, (35), when he asked, "Where have you put him?" (Lazarus who had died 4 days before). Jesus wept and was angry in one poignant moment in time. His emotions were frayed yet stern and he coped with a crowd, some who hated him and some who loved him. Along with that he was with his friends who trusted and depended on him (Mary and Martha).

Jesus did an amazing thing once his emotions were shown. He had something in his mind that was "out of the box" and nobody saw it coming! He said, "Thank you Father..." thanking God (as he was a man too). He wanted those watching to believe in him. Then he shouted, "Lazarus, come out." Lazarus came out and had to be unwrapped of his graveclothes! He was alive having been dead for four days! (really dead)

When you struggle in this pandemic, watching the news and wondering what you can do to survive, and to help others, then remember the Lord Jesus Christ (God as a man) who understands every emotion in one moment, love, anger, sorrow and hope. Jesus is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.