Like most of you, I’m trying to process all that has transpired in our nation. Things certainly haven’t gone the way most of us thought or prayed has it?
My husband, Kevin said to me recently, “I think we have gotten a glimpse of what the disciples must have felt after Jesus was crucified. They were so certain it was going to go a different direction.”
In many respects Trump was crucified (no we are not comparing him to Jesus) and now in the wake of what appears to be the death of America, many of us are in stunned grief. It appears evil won, as I’m sure it felt to the disciples back then. It feels as if the return to righteousness and revival for which we prayed and which seemed so close, has disappeared. It appears we are moving back into slavery/Egypt. And sadly, some want to go there.
But, for those who will believe, we will see the glory of God.
For the last four years we have watched President Trump endure a host of betrayals, but none as severe as in the last week by those 
closest to him. The apparent betrayal by Vice-President Pence and members of Congress who said they would contest the electoral vote, but then didn’t.
Perhaps you’ve experienced recent betrayals of late as well. I believe it is because that spirit has been unleashed. Let me encourage you though, betrayal precedes vindication, and resurrection.
Jesus experienced betrayal from two who sat with him at the communion table. One who betrayed and one who denied Him. Yet the result would have felt the same.
However, the two were very different. Judas, who later regretted his actions and refused forgiveness and Peter who regretted his actions and was restored to relationship.
I believe in coming days we will see both responses.
As I studied betrayal this week, the Holy Spirit instructed me to turn to John 11 & 12. Once I turned there, it made complete sense. It is the story of Lazarus followed by Jesus’ betrayal. Interesting that they are back-to-back in the Bible.
I can imagine what Mary and Martha must have felt with the death of their brother knowing God could have stopped it, but didn’t. And Jesus intentionally didn’t, but they don’t know that. Both sisters approached Him when he belatedly showed up. But their hearts were at very different places.
Martha, who must have been Type A, walked straight up to him in what seems almost confrontational as she said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You may ask of God, God will give You” (Jn 11:20-21).
Jesus told her directly, “Your brother will rise again.” Yet she didn’t believe that He meant right then! She couldn’t hear or believe because she was angry, hurt, offended. The way most of us feel right now.
Let’s cut to his disciple Thomas. He did what many believers do and tried to reason out the situation using his natural mind, “Then Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us go also, that we may die with Him.” (Jn. 11:16).
Thomas completely missed the point. Martha missed the point.
What was the point? It is found in verse 40, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Finally, Mary arrived. “When Mary came to where Jesus was, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” It was the exact same thing Martha had said, but in a very different manner. It is all about the heart.
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. He said, “Where have you laid him?”
They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”
And Jesus wept. (John 11:32-35).
Mary’s response should be ours in this troubling hour that feels like the death of America. On our knees in grief, humility and respect before Jesus.
What moved Him then? Confrontation? Natural reasoning? Or compassionate grief and love?
Immediately following the miracle of Lazarus, the spirit of betrayal was released, via pride and jealousy. The Pharisees were afraid the miracle would explode Jesus’ popularity further and determined to kill Jesus. However, they needed a betrayer.
We are in a season of betrayals and betrayers. We should beware that we don’t find ourselves unwittingly on the wrong side of the equation.
SEE ALSO: Betrayal – When Evil is Returned for Good
Betrayal most often stems from the basic roots of pride, greed and the need for self-importance.
Judas’ betrayal contained all three, but Peter’s did not. His was a denial from self-preservation and fear, yet it was still a betrayal as he stabbed Jesus in the back unwilling to stand strong in the face of possible persecution.
As we face ongoing and perhaps greater persecution in the days to come, who will you choose to be?
Challenging, angry Martha? Fearful, self-preservationist Peter? Greedy, jealous, Judas? Or grief-stricken, Mary with a humble heart who knelt before the Lord? We will each be confronted with that decision now or one day soon.
America has been encouraged to take on the same communist characteristics of China in which neighbor is encouraged to report on neighbor and brother against brother. Don’t fall into that trap. People who want to rise to a position of importance, will betray those they once called “friend” and in their deceived minds they will believe they are doing God’s will.
However, betrayal comes from a murderous spirit. It is never from God. It is wrapped in deception, and the nature of deception is when we are in it, we don’t recognize it. That is the danger of this age.
NOTE: I go into deeper explanation of the progression of this spirit and how it can deceive even the elect in my book, “INFECTED: How to Stand Against the Global Spread of Rage, Deception and Insanity.”)
Is there good news? Yes, because betrayal is often followed by vindication and resurrection.
Truth exposes lies. Light exposes darkness. What happens in between is the clash. This is where we are at today.
Do not be sucked into the accusations, finger-pointing, and hate-filled rhetoric that is sure to fill the air this week in some form or fashion. Do not become a judge filled with pride.
Instead let us be wise. Let us be kind, tender-hearted, forgiving each other as Christ forgave you. Let us remain resolute in determination to keep our eyes on Him.
May we be Mary’s today. It looks as if Lazarus is dead. We know Jesus could have intervened. We don’t understand the delay. We have to be willing to lay that at His feet and approach Him in humility and grief to say, “We trust You.”
Because in the end, I believe it is about the same end result then and now, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Lord, we come to you in the same spirit Mary approached you. We know that you are able, you could have already intervened and we don’t understand. But our eyes and our hope remain on You. Your Word says that, “he that endures unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Mt 24:13). For in the time of trouble He said You would hide us in His pavilion and the shelter of Your tabernacle. Your promise was that You would set us up on a rock. You are our Rock. That You would lift up our heads above our enemies who are encircling us. And that our response as we wait on You is to offer sacrifices of joy in Your tabernacle. So Lord in this tension we will sing. Yes, we will sing praises to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when we cry with our voice! Be gracious to us and answer us. You have instructed us to seek Your face and our hearts reply to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek” (Ps 27:5-8).
Love this Karen. Eases my mind somewhat but really don’t understand. Still believing God is in control and all will work out but afraid of the damage in the meantime! 🙏🙏🙏
Genesis 50:20
This has happened for many to receive salvation.
Thank you Karen this makes sense and brings me to a better place of peace and stance. I will believe in Gods perfect timing . And yes I will pray for you this censorship is enemy infiltration. I ask if you would please provide guidance when you can as to how we can be more politically involved in voicing our concerns to our congressmen a land other important elected officials. Thank you!
It is my understanding that if things would have happened any differently, All of the corruption would not have had the opportunity- as it does now- to unravel right before our eyes. More time for them to reveal themselves…
Not worried. I trust God. And, Trump will be President ✝️
A very timely and well written word! Many need to hear this now! Thank You!
Girl..you are spot on …we will remain the LIGHT that outshines the darkness and see the Glory of the Lord….VICTORY is ours!!! Can’t wait to read your book
Amen sister!
Thank you Karen for this encouraging word. Yes, the Lord will find faith. All glory and honor yo our soon coming King Jesus !
In my life, the way the Lord has answered my prayers often appeared scary at first or like evil won, like my foundations had been ripped from under me. But in the end, the Lord gave me justice/answered my prayers far above (Eph. 3:20). E.g. He waited so my enemies’ fate was sealed up so tight it was undeniable. No way for them to escape their evil deeds (as it had been deniable before because it was hidden). Then suddenly, the promise He’d highlighted to me that I waited on Him for came to pass: The Egyptians (enemies) that you see today, you will see no more forever.
But the process of waiting for over 3 years was very difficult, even frightening at times. At the right time b/c we believe, we will see the glory of the Lord. Thanks for this Spirit-led post.
Thank you for sharing your experience and the need for patience!
i do feel glory of God will be shown- and im agreeing with robin bullock,and kat kerr that the evil,cheating,lies, and all the voter fraud will be exposed, publically, and those people will held accountable and trump will be reelected.there will be spiritual awakening and revival will be swept in usa, and other parts of the world in coming days.
Isaiah 61 please read it. Encouragement for all to fast for the next 21 days all negative thoughts, words, guard your tongues and minds and hearts! Speak LIFE and EDIFICATION and BLESSINGS over ALL! We will see the GLORY of G-d! Let us be humble and carefully examine our own hearts. We keep saying we repent but are we truly turning away from all our sins? Many have not changed a thing even Christians. You can only repent for yourself. Pray that all believers including us, go DEEPER in their hearts to purify themselves thoroughly with the help of the Holy Spirit. Bless you! Shalom
Thank you for your encouraging word. I was also encouraged by my bible reading on Monday, Exodus 4:31 and on, about Moses and Pharaoh. God keeps his promises but not necessarily in our time but in His. Sometimes things get worse before they get better. Thanks again. Sandra
So encouraging, and very much in line with where I was led in my
Prayers. I walked through a Martha response and settled into a Mary response. We do not know the mind of God. We know His heart toward us is always good, but His thoughts and ways are not in our understanding. So, I will trust, knowing my sadness and lack of understanding will lead me deeper into His heart as I seek his face.
What an encouraging and timely word thank you for always sharing the truth which uplifts and eases burdens
Matthew 13:15-16
God’s truth will always abound no matter what
Yes may we all be Mary’s and allow the Holy Spirit to draw us to Him in perfect love and complete surrender knowing His love for us is perfect and He is our safe place forever
Thank you for publishing this blog. It is another piece of encouragement to me during this time. Also, please check out this video from Lance Walnau that I will post below. It will give more insight as to the Christian’s action plan for this time:
https://youtu.be/8FqRcOHG7lA
You are right on target. I believe Mike Pence had to do what he did in order for the glory of the Lord to be revealed. If this had turned out differently a lot of the evil that still needs to be revealed may not have been. These are exciting days and I can’t wait to see what God is up to. As Hank kunneman also prophesied that there would be two Presidents and two inauguration ‘s. One is legitimate and one is not.
What a great read and I so needed to hear this. I will definitely share as so many others need to be encouraged by these words. I do believe we’ll see the glory of the Lord. Fixing my eyes on Jesus!
Teresa
God’s timing is perfect Ps.31:15! It’s been proven over and over again in the Word as we look back at the Heroes for God in Heb.ll and God reminds us to stand in Faith and we’ll get our reward. Eph.3:20 over and above as we continue to lift up our Gov. Leaders and Pres Trump as Joseph went through being thrown in a pit and prison and the final blessing was the Palace as the Kings Head General as we see it! Jonah swallowed by the Whale and very uncomfortable as we r but was used by God to complete ministering to reach people and we can’t quit now, there r soo many that need to know our Lord before He returns and it’s close! Matt.24 Satan knows his time is short and he will try to send more darts but we have the Word,Blood,Name of Jesus and the Power of the HS to stop his darts. PTLORD and I believe he will be stopped as We Believe and pray.. Matt.18:18-19 and Mk. 11:22-26 and Is.55:11 and Heb.11:1-6 IJNAME PTLORD
I love this Spirit inspired post. Its deeply encouraging in these difficult days, and full of faith.
I think about how after receiving news about Lazarus being sick that Jesus waited 4 days before coming to them. Jewish literature tells that in those days Jews believed the soul stayed by the body for 3 days trying to reenter it, and if it couldn’t reenter the body it would then depart for good. Jesus came on the 4th day after Lazarus had died and was already buried. When he arrived, many in the community were visiting Mary and Martha, deeply saddened by Lazarus’ death and grieving with them. With it being the 4th day after Lazarus’ death, Jesus waited to arrive after all possibility was lost for any potential that life could remain. So when Lazarus was raised from the dead the miracle of that event was all the more profoundly realized by everyone who was there. There would be no question that this was a miracle and that it was Jesus who performed the miracle. Jesus shows up always at the right time, at least in part so that we can receive the very fullness of his blessing. Had he come earlier, would as many have believed in him? Would those who did believe be as deeply or profoundly transformed by the miracle of Lazarus resurrection? Our God always has a very real and intentional purpose for the waiting.
Grateful for your ministry Karen and Kim. Praying for you.