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The thought I have to share with you today is about the rest of the story.
2nd Corinthians 7:5-6
For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without fightings, within fears.
Nevertheless God, comforted those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus.
The world that we live in is this way; so many problems, sickness, turmoil, it is true; these do exist but then you have the word nevertheless, which means despite what has been stated there is more. Nevertheless is a word similar to the words but, yet, and however, which means there is something else to follow that will supersede or override or is contrary to the first part of the sentence. In other words, you have the first part of the story, and now you need to hear the second part of the story.
In these verses, we find that although the first part is fear and fightings, we find the rest of the story brings us peace. The God that comforted those, comforteth me.
We find in an earlier chapter (2nd Corinthians), chapter four, verses 8 and 9 some more verses that have two parts to the story:
“Troubled but not distressed, perplexed but not in despair”
“Persecuted but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed”
Another scripture that came to me that demonstrates this so plain is the story of Jarius in Luke 8:41:
Jarius, the ruler of the synagogue, who was probably prosperous, probably active in conducting the services in the synagogue, comes to Jesus because of a great burden he is carrying. His only daughter of 12 years old is at the point of death. He is desperate, exhausted with worry, sick with concern.
Does this sound familiar? Have you been there? Are you there now?
Jarius heard Jesus was coming. He left his daughter’s side to reach Jesus. He could have sent someone, but I think because the request was so important to Jarius, he wanted to carry it to Jesus himself. He had faith that Jesus could do something about his daughter. He falls down to his knees before Jesus with his request, and Jesus says yes I will come and they start to his house. But on the way, the woman with the issue of blood reaches out to Jesus and is healed. Before they can go any further, here comes one saying Jairus’s daughter is dead and not to trouble the Master. I think this suggestion was not from God, but from the enemy.
How many times has he told you it is too late? No use to pray? No use to ask others to pray? Nothing God can do now. I believe Jairus is standing close to Jesus when he hears the news. He was heartbroken. Perhaps, he started weeping. Can you just see him sag beneath the load? I am sure Satan told him “You should have just stayed with her instead of running to Jesus” Perhaps, he wishes he had been there for her when she died. His faith falters, but like a friend at his side, Jesus quietly speaks, “Fear not, believe only; and she shall be made whole.” He may have even put his arm around him and held him close while He spoke these words. No, I am sure He did.
Sometimes what we are going through may be so great that our faith may falter or become weak, but then we hear His voice. We feel His presence. He speaks peace and comfort, words of encouragement.
Jesus refuses to leave Jarius alone with his grief, but goes with him. Jesus enters the house and puts the scorners, sightseers, and mourners aside and keeps those who had a sincere desire in their heart to witness the miracle of her resurrection. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, “Maid, arise.” And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. I think Jesus had her eat to prove that she was flesh and blood, and not just a spirit.
So here is how this story could be summed up. Jarius’s only child died when she was 12 years old, nevertheless, she was brought back to life by Jesus. My story would read like this. She was lost, a sinner, full of iniquity, worthless and hopeless; nevertheless, Jesus saved her soul and has given her eternal life and clothed her in righteousness and love.
Here’s a couple more scriptures that demonstrate ‘the rest of the story’.
Nehemiah 4:7-9
But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, and conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. Nevertheless, we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
Luke 5:5-6
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
Remember, we need to have faith to obtain the promises that God has given. Fear not and just believe because there is more to the story.
