How can we trust God's timing in difficult situations, as seen in John 11:15? Setting the scene Lazarus is gravely ill. Mary and Martha send word to Jesus, fully expecting Him to come at once. Yet Jesus remains two more days before traveling to Bethany (John 11:6). By the time He arrives, Lazarus has been in the tomb four days. From every human angle, Jesus is “late.” The meaning of John 11:15 “ ‘and I am glad for your sake that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’ ” Jesus’ deliberate delay is not indifference; it is purposeful, designed to draw His followers into deeper faith through a greater display of His glory. Why God’s delay builds belief • It exposes the limits of human solutions, driving us to dependence on Him alone. • It magnifies His power when deliverance finally comes—resurrection, not just healing. • It trains our hearts to trust His character rather than our calendar. • It aligns our testimony with His larger redemptive plan: “so that you may believe.” Lessons for our waiting seasons • God’s love and His timing never contradict each other (John 11:5). • A closed door or unanswered plea may be the stage for a greater miracle. • Faith matures most when circumstances feel hopeless. • Delays are temporary; His purposes are eternal (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Practical ways to rest in His timing 1. Anchor your mind in His promises rather than in changing circumstances (Romans 8:28). 2. Speak honestly with Him—lament is not unbelief but relationship (Psalm 62:8). 3. Remember past deliverances; gratitude fuels patience (Psalm 77:11–12). 4. Stay obedient in present duties—faithfulness today prepares you for tomorrow (Luke 16:10). 5. Encourage others who are also waiting; shared testimony strengthens the body (2 Corinthians 1:3–4). Encouragement from other Scriptures • Isaiah 55:8–9 — His ways higher than ours. • Psalm 27:14 — “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” • James 1:2–4 — Trials produce endurance, leading to maturity. • 2 Peter 3:9 — Delay often means mercy, not neglect. Trust grows when we view delays through the lens of John 11:15: every moment is calibrated for our belief and His glory. |
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