TEXT: JOHN 5:5-9
"And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath."
A STORY LACED WITH 'BUTS'
The impotent man was bed- ridden for 38 years. In that period, everything in his life was on hold, while waiting for his miracle. For every year he waited, there was a story attached, there was a 'but' that prevented him from receiving his miracle. He accumulated 38 'buts' that translated into 38 stories, yet there was no end in sight for a happy ending for him.
The Lord will arise for you and speak mercy into your situation. He will visit you and put an end to delay and stagnation in your life in Jesus name.
For 38 years people saw him and asked him questions and he responded with his stories of woe, but they could do nothing for him. Nobody waited to help him into the pool at the right time. Then Jesus saw him and asked him a different question:
"Will thou be made whole?"
Accustomed to the standard answer, he started his stories of 'buts.'
"...Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: BUT while I am coming, another steppeth down before me" (John 5:7).
FROM STORY TO GLORY
Jesus did not wait for him to tell all his 38 stories, he did something about it instantly.
"Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk" (John 5:8).
It was a command that could not be ignored. The Spirit of infirmity heard the command and fled. That very day, all his 'buts' and stories were retired. He was made whole as Jesus turned his stories to glory.
Today, Jesus will see you. He will take you 'buts' and stories and turn them to glorious testimonies. Your case will be heard in heaven and the delays preventing your miracles will be retired in Jesus name.
A TESTIMONY OF GLORY
When those who had no answer to his problem questioned him after his healing, he had the right answer. There was no more 'but' or sad story, he told them about his glorious testimony of healing.
"He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk" (John 5:11).
An end has come to sad stories and 'buts' in your life. You will testify of the glorious hand of God in your life. Those that have been constantly mocking you and deriding God in your life will be put to shame. They will be witnesses to God's glory manifesting in your life in Jesus name.
The first place the erstwhile impotent fellow went after his healing was the temple of God, where he had not been for 38 years, to give glory and praise to God. There Jesus found him and admonished him to sin no more. The man was so happy he went about publishing the fact the it was Jesus that healed him.
Glory and praise belongs to God. Let his praise continually be in your lips for all he has and will do for you. Be a proclaimer and testifier of the goodness and mercy of God. Tell others about what Jesus has done for you.
Let us pray:
PRAYER:
Father, arise and put an end to unpleasant stories in my life. Visit my situation and turn my stories to glorious testimonies in Jesus name.
CONFESSION:
The Lord is my helper, my lips will sing praises of his glorious deeds continually.
God bless you. Shalom.
