System Override

Jeremiah 29:¹¹ “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (LB)

The first lesson from John 5:1-11 is That God Will Use People To Lift You. The second thing is God Will Override People To Lift You. In seasons like the one we are in right now, God will override people, override systems, override protocol and He will lift you up in the Name of Jesus.

John 5:⁸ “Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” He only spoke the Word! The man was trying to convince Jesus, ‘I cannot do this because I do not have destiny helpers.’ Stories! Jesus said to him, ‘Shh… there is only one destiny helper you need right now and that is Me! My Name is Jesus, get up and walk!’ Is it not amazing that when everybody walks out of your life, Jesus walks in. This man had been abandoned for thirty-eight years, and Jesus walked in quietly. There are two songs bubbling up on my inside, Yoruba songs that my grandmother used to sing. I will share the English translation of the songs and I want you to ponder on the words.

Song #1: I have a friend in Jesus. He is so precious to me. He is the only beauty that my heart desires. He is the Lily of the valley, The Bright and Morning star. He is the only beauty that my heart desires. He is my Comforter in the times of troubles. He says I should put all my burdens on Him. He is the Lily of the valley, the Bright and Morning Star. He is the only beauty that my heart desires.

Song #2: A friend like Jesus, You can’t find in this world. Jesus alone is the true friend. Our earthly friends may forsake us. But Jesus can never forget me. Aah! can never forget. The very true friend o! Aah! can never forget. Hallelujah! But Jesus can never forget me.

The man was abandoned for thirty-eight years, but the faithful friend that sticks closer than a brother stepped in and said to him, ‘I can help you’. The man responded, ‘I have no man,’ Jesus said, ‘I can be your Man.’ The man said again, ‘But I have no help’, and Jesus said, ‘I can be your Help’. The best thing you can do with your life is to have a walk with God. If you do not have a walk with Jesus, do not let today go by without sorting it out. Imagine if Jesus did not come through for this man, just imagine what would have happened. He would have lived and died an immobile cripple, and nobody would care. People would walk by and no one would stop.

But Jesus said no. Jesus did not ask him for his story or care to find out who the man may have offended. Jesus did not even ask what the man had done. All that was irrelevant.  The only thing that mattered was what Jesus had planned to do in this man’s life. Wow!

Prayer: Father, have Your way in my life. Override people, override systems, override protocol and lift me up, in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen!