May 20

Sometimes God Waits

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 71:9-14 | 1 Samuel 26:1-28:25 | John 11:1-53 | Proverbs 15:22-23

Today’s Scripture Focus:  John 11:1-53

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again” (John 11:5-7a ESV).

Often God waits. Why? Perhaps Jesus gives us some clues as he waits to raise Lazarus from the dead.

Jesus waited because he wanted to bring God greater glory. A healing would certainly have brought glory to God. But Jesus waited in this instance to perform a greater miracle. He raised Lazarus from the dead. Often God waits so that he may bring greater glory. “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (4).

Jesus waited because he wanted to give a greater opportunity to believe. He waited to stretch faith and help it to grow. “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe” (14-15). The testing of our faith as we wait on God causes our faith to be stretched and helps it to grow. Often he waits so that we will learn to trust Him in greater measure.

Jesus waited because he loved them. “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judea again'” (5-7).  The implication of the word “so” in the passage is that Jesus waited because he loved them. He loved them so he stayed two days longer. Sometimes God waits because he loves us. When the time is right he will answer us, but in “tough love” he sometimes waits because he is accomplishing something through the waiting that he could accomplish no other way.

Had Jesus not waited, there would have been no opportunity to raise Lazarus from the dead. No opportunity to bring the greater glory that would show his love and teach them to believe.

Sometimes God waits. Sometimes this is because he wants to bring greater glory. Sometimes it is because he wants to stretch our faith and teach us to trust him more deeply. Sometimes it is because he loves us and has something he wants to accomplish in our lives that he requires us to wait.

Heavenly Father, I don’t like to wait. Thank you for reminding me that you have purposes in waiting. Build my faith, show your love, bring greater glory to yourself and let your working be a testimony that draws others to see your greatness. I now wait in hope. Amen.