Pastor Joel Osteen Daily Devotional July 23 2023.

SCRIPTURE: John 11:35–37, NIV Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” 

Mary and Martha sent word to their dear friend Jesus that their brother Lazarus was very sick, but Jesus did not come in time and Lazarus died. Martha was so upset that she said to Jesus, “If You had come sooner, he wouldn’t have died.” She was saying, “How could You do this to us? We’re Your friends. When we needed You the most, You let us down.” She thought that Jesus didn’t care, that He was too busy with others, but the Scripture says, “Jesus wept.”

Jesus wept because He loved Lazarus. He wept because He felt the sorrow that they felt. When God doesn’t answer as you desire, thoughts will tell you, “How could He let this happen? He could have stopped the heartache if He cares for you.” Don’t believe those lies. God feels the loneliness and the heartache you feel. He weeps when you weep. His heart breaks when your heart breaks. You’re His child. He is your Heavenly Father, and He raises the dead.

“Father, thank You that I never have to wonder about Your unconditional love for me because You’ve proven it by making me Your child. Thank You that You weep when I weep and are always for me. I declare that I am going to live securely, knowing that You love me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”