In The House Of MiserySample

God Calls To Us In Our Afflictions To Give Us A Miracle 

The Bible tells us "When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Free him, and let him go'" 

Lazarus could neither cause Jesus to call him nor resist that call when Jesus gave it. God's calling is a command. In the Greek, it is literally, "Lazarus! Here! Out!" And His calling gave Lazarus life. 

The great Baptist theologian of the 1700’s, John Gill said, “He calls him by his name, not only as being his friend, and known by him, but to distinguish him from any other corpse that might lie interred in the same cave; and he bids him come forth out of the cave.”

Others have speculated that if Jesus had not specified Lazarus, every corpse in every grave in the whole world would have risen in obedience to the command “Come forth.”

When God gives us the inward call, giving us new life and resurrecting us through the Holy Spirit, it is a command we cannot resist. And notice that it is personal. The outward call of the Gospel can be preached to the multitude. But the inward call is always addressed to the individual.

He called specifically for Lazarus to come out of that tomb! That call was for no one else that day, but it was for Lazarus alone.

The call was very clear that day "Come forth!" Jesus told Lazarus exactly what he was supposed to do!

When Lazarus hears the voice of Jesus, even while dead in the grave, he follows it. Earlier Jesus had said that He was the good shepherd and that His sheep know His voice. Just in the previous chapter, the man born blind knew the voice of Jesus and responded with faith. And now, even a dead body recognizes the voice of the Messiah and responds.  

Jesus stands on the edge of your grave – whatever it may be, shouting "Come out!" Have you heard His call? 

The Bible tells us in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice” The voice of Jesus is identifiable by His sheep.

There are many competing voices in the world today that keeps you in the grave spiritually. One of the great challenges to the Christian today is to listen to His voice.

Quote: The voice you believe will determine the future you experience. - Steven Furtick

Application question: Consider practicing silence for a few moments. Is it awkward? Comfortable? Can you tune in to hear His voice?

Prayer: Lord, I do admit that the voices of this world often crowd out your still small voice saying “Come forth” and as a result I am still in the grave spiritually. Help me to listen and respond. Amen