How can we apply Jesus' timing in John 11:17 to our daily trust? Setting the Scene in Bethany “On His arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.” (John 11:17) Observations on Timing • Jesus deliberately waited (John 11:6). • Four days ensured Lazarus was undeniably dead, removing all doubt of a merely unconscious state. • This timing aligned with Jesus’ prior words: “This sickness will not end in death, but for the glory of God” (John 11:4). Why Four Days Matters • Confirms Christ’s authority over irreversible situations. • Demonstrates that divine delays are purposeful, not careless. • Highlights that God’s glory often shines brightest when human hope expires. Translating Divine Timing into Daily Trust • Remember God’s clocks are set to eternity – “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” (2 Peter 3:8) • Surrender our timetables – “My times are in Your hands.” (Psalm 31:15) • Expect greater glory in every wait – What He allows to “die” in your life may be positioned for resurrection power (Romans 8:28). • Reject panic, embrace purpose – Delays are not denials; they are stages for God’s revelation (Isaiah 55:8-9). • Anchor hope in the character of Christ – If He conquered a four-day grave, He can handle any deadline we face (John 11:25-26). Daily Practices to Cultivate Trust • Start each morning yielding plans to God, affirming Ecclesiastes 3:1. • Keep a journal of answered prayers that came “late” yet arrived perfect. • Speak Scripture aloud when anxiety over timing rises—especially John 11:40, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” • Celebrate small evidences of His sovereignty instead of fixating on the clock. Living the Lesson Jesus’ four-day delay proves that divine timing is never off. Rest in that certainty, and let every waiting room become a worship room. |
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