I think this is one of the more interesting and perplexing passages in Scripture:
1 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days…
Can you imagine the frustration of Mary and Martha who, I’m sure, thought Jesus would immediately respond?
You’ve felt that frustration in your life, haven’t you? God, I need you to help me.
– Would you please make him love me back?
– Would you please heal me of the chronic pain?
– Would you please allow us to get pregnant?
– Would you please help me get this job?
And nothing. So you pray more.
And still you wait. And nothing seems to change.
Sometimes, God will wait 2 days. Sometimes, it’s 2 months, 2 years, or even 2 decades. Sometimes, there’s an obvious reason, and sometimes, there’s not, but we can never forget this simple truth: God is in charge.
And here’s a little encouragement for you today:
Just because your dream is delayed doesn’t mean it’s denied.
Have you ever been in a hurry when God wasn’t?
