Timing

Read John 11:1-44

Although Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next 2 days and did not go to them. Verse 5

If you have ever experienced having to withhold a pleasure, a privilege or some needed help from your children for the purpose of discipline, or long term benefit, you may understand that it was not easy for Jesus to wait 2 days before going to help his friends. Knowing that his friend was sick and that the 2 sisters would have to face his death and all the grief associated with it must have been very difficult for Jesus. Knowing that God had a plan which was for his ultimate glory may have made it a little easier.

By the time Jesus arrived Lazarus had been dead for 4 days and the sisters and their friends were grieving deeply and probably very confused as to why Jesus had not come to them sooner. They knew he could heal their brother. But Jesus wanted to show them something greater. God’s glory and power was going to be made amazingly and unmistakably clear when Lazarus was raised, not from his sickbed, but from his grave. Many people believed in Jesus after this miracle.

Waiting for God to act is never easy. It is a test to see whether we will “be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6) or whether we will try and work something out for ourselves. There are some things in life that we can work out in our own way, but waiting for God’s way is always best because then we have a testimony and God gets the glory. Sometimes our hands are tied as Mary and Martha’s were, and there is nothing we can do except watch and wait for God’s timing. The book of Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time for everything (3:1).

Psalm 27:14 says this, “Wait patiently for the Lord, be brave and courageous, yes wait patiently for Him. Hebrews 6:12 speaks of us receiving God’s promises through faith and patience, and the need for patient endurance so that as we continue to do God’s will we will receive all that He has promised.

Waiting for God’s timing is difficult but the wonderful thing is that we can ask Him to help us to wait patiently. It does not please God to withhold something from us – sometimes He needs to prepare us to receive the answer, sometimes He wants to develop and strengthen our character and faith a little more, or perhaps He wants His power and glory to be made more clear through His timing. We must remember that He always wants the best for us. We are His much loved children, He is our wise and loving Father.

Prayer: Dear Father, this waiting time is hard for me. Forgive me for my impatience and help me to patiently wait for your best. Help me to trust you for you are faithful. In Jesus’ name. Amen