Bible Passage (KJV): John 11:38–44
And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
EXHORTATION
Welcome to Mercy Speaking Devotional, and welcome to this Saturday, May 30, 2026. No matter how the month of May has been, give thanks to God for the preservation of your life till now. Maybe you’re quietly battling with disappointment, exhaustion, and hopelessness. You might be feeling that your dream has died or opportunities have passed you by. Some are emotionally tired from unanswered prayers, repeated struggles, broken relationships, financial hardship, or seasons that did not turn out the way they expected. But today, God is sending a powerful reminder to every discouraged heart: your story is not over.
In Nashville, Tennessee, USA, a man named Colonel Harland Sanders experienced repeated failure before becoming widely known around the world. By his mid-sixties, he had faced business setbacks, financial hardship, and discouragement. At one point, he reportedly survived on a small government pension and struggled to keep hope alive. Many people at that age would have concluded that life had already passed them by.
But Sanders continued pursuing his dream with persistence. He traveled across different places trying to convince restaurant owners to use his chicken recipe. After many rejections, opportunities eventually opened, and what later became known as Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) grew into a globally recognized brand.
His story reminds us that delayed success is not the same as a finished life. What seems dead today may simply be waiting for God’s timing, grace, and intervention.
In John 11, we encounter one of the most powerful miracles in Scripture. Lazarus, a man loved deeply by Jesus, became sick and died. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already been in the grave four days. Humanly speaking, the situation was beyond repair. Martha herself said, “Lord, by this time he stinketh.” In other words, the situation had deteriorated so badly that hope seemed unreasonable.
Many people today understand that feeling. There are situations that appear too damaged to recover. Some relationships seem beyond healing. Some dreams seem buried permanently. Some hearts feel spiritually cold and emotionally exhausted. Some people have carried disappointment for so long that they no longer expect change.
But Jesus approached the tomb differently from everyone else.
Where others saw finality, Jesus saw possibility.
Where others saw death, Jesus saw resurrection.
Where others saw an ending, Jesus saw a testimony waiting to happen.
One powerful lesson in this passage is that God’s delays are not always His denial. Martha and Mary struggled because Jesus did not arrive when they expected. Sometimes believers become discouraged because God does not move according to their personal timeline. But delayed intervention does not mean abandoned purpose.
Jesus intentionally allowed the situation to reach a point where human ability could no longer explain the outcome. Then He revealed the glory of God.
This is important because some people reading this devotional feel trapped in hopeless situations. Perhaps you are grieving lost opportunities, painful failures, spiritual dryness, financial pressure, or emotional wounds. Maybe you have prayed repeatedly and still see no visible change. Perhaps part of you has quietly concluded that things will never improve.
But hear the voice of Jesus today: “Take ye away the stone.”
Sometimes before God brings restoration, He asks us to remove the stones of fear, unbelief, bitterness, pride, shame, or hopelessness that block our faith. God often calls us to participate in the process of restoration through surrender, obedience, and trust.
Then Jesus spoke directly into the place of death: “Lazarus, come forth.”
What was dead responded to the voice of Christ.
This is the hope of the gospel. Jesus still speaks life into dead situations. He still restores broken hearts. He still revives weary spirits. He still rebuilds damaged lives. He still calls people out of emotional graves, spiritual graves, and hopeless circumstances.
Notice also that Lazarus came out still wrapped in grave clothes. Restoration had begun, but complete freedom required further release. Many believers experience this too. God brings them out of darkness, but they still need healing from old mindsets, fears, wounds, and habits. This is why spiritual growth, discipleship, prayer, and renewal remain important after restoration begins.
Today, do not define your future only by your current situation. God’s power is greater than the tombs surrounding your life. Your pain may be real, but it is not permanent in the hands of God. Your delay may be painful, but it is not proof that heaven has forgotten you.
The dream is not dead.
The purpose is not over.
The calling is not cancelled.
The mercy of God is still working behind the scenes.
This Saturday, refuse to surrender to hopelessness. Lift your eyes again toward Christ. Trust Him again. Pray again. Believe again. The same Jesus who called Lazarus out of the grave is still able to bring life where people only expect endings.
Your story is not over.
God is still writing.
Food for Thought
If Jesus could call Lazarus out of a grave after four days, why should any situation in your life be considered beyond the reach of God’s restoring power?
Prayer Points
- Father, thank You because no situation in my life is beyond Your power to restore and revive.
- Lord, breathe fresh hope into every area where discouragement and hopelessness have settled in my heart.
- Father, remove every stone of fear, unbelief, shame, and bitterness blocking my spiritual growth and restoration.
- Lord, speak life into every dead dream, broken area, delayed blessing, and wounded part of my life.
- Father, help me to trust Your timing, follow Your voice, and walk confidently into the future You are preparing for me, in Jesus’ name.
