Sanctified Steps: Lord If Only You Hadst Been Here| John 11:32 (KJV)

 

Lord If Only You Had Been Here: John 11:32

📖 Scripture:

“Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”
— John 11:32 (KJV)

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Devotional:

Mary loved Jesus. She had sat at His feet, listened to His voice, believed His power. But now? Now, her brother was gone… and Jesus was late. Or so it seemed.

This is the heartbreak of divine delay — when we know God could have stepped in, but He didn't. We don’t always speak it out loud, but our souls whisper the same thing Mary said: “Lord, if You had been here…”

Waiting can feel like abandonment. Silence can feel like a no. But in John 11, Jesus shows us something sacred — the wait was not neglect, but setup. What looked like death was only a pause before glory. He wasn’t late. He was aligning resurrection timing.

Daily Wisdom Insight:

God is not bound by your clock.
What feels final to you may only be sleep to Him.
His delay is not denial — it’s preparation for something greater than you asked for.

Reflection:

• Where in your life are you saying, “Lord, if You had been here…”?

• Can you believe that He’s still coming — even if it seems too late?

Application:

Read John 11 slowly. Notice how Jesus didn’t rush, but He wept before He moved. Write down one area where you feel God’s silence. Then ask:

• What miracle might be waiting after the delay?

You’re not being ignored. You’re being invited to trust deeper.

Prayer:

Lord,

I don’t understand Your timing, but I still choose to trust Your heart.
Help me believe that You weep with me — and You still work miracles.
Even when I feel forgotten, remind me I am loved, seen, and never too far gone.
Let resurrection reach me… even if I think it’s too late.

Amen.

Discussion Question:

• Have you ever felt like God arrived “too late”?
• What did He reveal to you in the waiting?

Discover More:

If you’re still waiting, you’re not alone. Explore more devotionals rooted in scripture and stillness. Let your spirit breathe again at the Sanctified Steps page »

Sanctified Steps: God feeds the birds… and He hasn’t forgotten you.G| Matthew 6:26 (KJV)

God feeds the birds: Matthew 6:26

 📖 Scripture:

"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?" — Matthew 6:26 (KJV)

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Devotional:

There’s something humbling about watching birds: they flutter, forage, and sing without worrying where their next meal will come from. Jesus points us to this daily miracle not to romanticize simplicity, but to remind us of God’s relentless faithfulness. Birds don’t store. They receive.

We live in a world of stockpiling, scheduling, and scarcity mindsets. But this verse invites us back to a posture of trust. You're not a forgotten sparrow—you are a beloved child. If God feeds the birds, He will feed you—spiritually, emotionally, and practically. Maybe not all at once, but always right on time.

Daily Wisdom Insight:

When Jesus spoke these words, He was speaking to people burdened by real need—just like you. This wasn’t abstract theology; it was compassionate assurance. He sees your bills, your tears, your sighs. But He doesn’t just see—He provides. Even if it’s not in the form you expected.

Sometimes, the blessing isn’t abundance—it’s sufficiency. A full heart. A quiet mind. Strength for this step. Like manna in the desert, it may not be enough to store—but it will be enough to sustain.

Reflection:

• Are you looking to tomorrow with fear or today with faith?
• What would it look like to trust God for just today’s portion?

Application:

 Reread Matthew 6:25–34 and note every time Jesus reminds us not to worry. Then ask yourself:

• What have I been trying to “store” in fear?
• What might God be asking me to release, so He can refill?

Consider writing down one small area where you’ve seen God quietly provide this week — even if it was just peace in the middle of waiting.

Prayer:

Lord,

I confess how often I cling to what I think I need.
But You feed the birds without barns… and I am so much more to You.
Teach me to rest in Your rhythm—daily, sacred, steady.
Give me eyes to see provision even when it's disguised as stillness.
You are the God who is always enough.

Amen.

💬 Discussion Question:

• Where in your life have you seen quiet provision — not flashy or fast, but faithful?
• How does the image of God feeding the birds shape your view of His love?

Discover More:

Explore more devotionals rooted in scripture and stillness. Let your spirit breathe again at the Sanctified Steps page »

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Step by sanctified step. 💕✨

You are held. You are fed. You are more than birds.