So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 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.”
John 11:3-4
When Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that their brother and Jesus’ friend was gravely ill and requested that He come, Jesus delayed going. The family went through the entire funeral process and by the time Jesus got there Lazarus had been dead four days.
Mary, knowing the healing power of the Master said, “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” That would be correct. If He had come and healed Lazarus, they would have learned nothing new about Jesus, but by waiting four days, it allowed Him to show even more power. His delay and silence was not rejection. Rather it was an opportunity to know more of himself than they had ever known.
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, already wrapped in grave clothing, it was quite a spectacular event, far greater than healing a live person.
Have you ever been frustrated when you didn’t hear from God? Perhaps it is because He wants to teach you a new revelation about himself. Whenever silence comes, continue doing the last thing God told you while you watch and wait for a fresh encounter with Him.
When you don’t hear from God, you can respond in one or two ways. You can become discouraged or you can patiently wait while God gives you a deeper knowledge of himself. The response you choose will determine your relationship with God.
Some responses are good enough to wait for. Never consider the silence of God to be the rejection by God. He knows the perfect timing for the maximum effect.
Perhaps you are not ready for His next step. Maybe He is waiting for you to elevate your prayer level or to deepen your knowledge of scripture. But when you are ready, He can use you in a mighty way.
Jesus was four days late to the grave of His friend Lazarus, but He was right on time.
by John Grant
used by permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
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Prayer is Talking to God
Practicing the Presence of God
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