WHEN GOD TARRIES
Bible Reading: John 11:1_45
Other readings: John 15:1-8, Matthew 6: 33, Colossians 1:1-20
Introduction
As good parents, it is not every time our children ask for things that we give them. We don't delay or deny these desires because of any misdemeanor of these children, but, at times, we need to delay the gratification for reasons best known to us. At times, we need to prioritize.
Likewise, sometimes, most of us "ask", but don't receive immediately or even never received. And it is not as if we are dwelling in any particular sin. As well, it is not as if we are not filled with the Spirit of God. Many of us will even add fasting to the prayer. Yet, no answers came. In situations like this, a seeming darkness envelopes us, and we often get confused as the heaven seemed sealed up against all our entreaties. The world would begin to make jest. Yet, God looks on as if He's no longer there. What then is going to happen next?
Body
In our Bible reading, the Master was told that His very good friend, Lazarus, was sick. The Master did not start coming immediately.
Just like we pray with faith in our heart that God could do whatever we want, Lazarus's sisters sent an SOS to God. But as we often experience, Jesus didn't show up to heal the sickness of His friend. Rather, He TARRIED!
Let us remember that Lazarus was not just anybody, but a friend of Jesus Christ. We see how close Lazarus was to Jesus Christ in verse 32 because "Jesus wept." That was their level of closeness . A friend of Jesus Christ today stands for believers (John 1:12, John 14:15, Romans 8:14); THE TRUE CHILDREN OF GOD. So, why will Jesus Christ refuse to come and heal His own very friend from a deadly and terminal disease? Why will God decide not to hear and or answer His own child pronto?
Jesus Christ told them when they told Him of the sickness that "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." (Verse 4) The simple indication of this is that the refusal of Jesus Christ to come immediately was for a reason and the reason was that He, Jesus Christ, may be glorified. The question is was He glorifglorification
A study of our Bible reading shows that Lazarus was eventually raised back to life. But is that the glorification that Jesus Christ talked about and actually wanted? The answer is NO!
Raising Lazarus to life is, by Jesus Christ's understanding and nature, a normal day-to-day activity. So, that was just a miracle!
But in verse 45, "Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed him." That was the glorification! That the people believed Him means they gave their lives to Him and became His disciples. And that was His reason for coming into the world - to make disciples unto God, thereby populating heaven and at the same time, depopulating hell!
Brethren, whatever you have passed, are passing or may ever pass through in life, the end-product is for the glory of God if you are a child of God.
And whatever had happened, is happening and may happen in your life that did not encourage people to become Christ's disciples is not for the glorification of God. That is, you are not fulfilling the bidding of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
Let us endeavour to always look and see beyond immediate miracles in our ordeals because when God tarries, it is for His glory! When God tarries, never lose your faith in Him, remember, "if you believe, you will see the glory of God." (John 11:40). When God tarries, it means that "the vision is for an appointed time." (Habakkuk 2:3). God's delay is NEVER God's denial! Wait for Him.
Happy Sunday to you all!
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