
In the book John chapter 11, we read about Lazarus, who was deathly ill, and how Jesus apparently delayed His journey to reach his beloved friend.
John 11:5-6 says, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.”
Inevitably, Lazarus dies, and when Jesus finally arrives, those around Him raise a deep question:
But some of them said, “Could not He who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” (John 11:37).
Certainly, these people had previously witnessed Jesus’ miracles, but the tomb that was before them created questions about God’s plan for His friend Lazarus. If we are honest with ourselves, how many times have we felt the same, that God does not answer us or that He has delayed in coming to help us?
Waiting on God is not only difficult; sometimes it seems impossible. I’ll be the first to submit to you that in the meantimes and in between times I struggle with waiting on God to take action.
Let’s be honest, we all want things to happen in our own timing, according to our plans. However, God doesn’t operate on our schedules, and expecting that He will sets one up for disappointment.
Mary, Martha, and the host of onlookers discovered that God’s timing was impeccable when Lazarus walked out of that tomb. For those who didn’t know, the Lazarus story was a precursor to Jesus’ story in terms of His death, burial, abd resurrection.
Patiently waiting on God is not for the faint at heart, but One divine attribute that will enable us to patiently wait on God is His sovereignty. We can have complete confidence in His total, independent control over every creature, event, and circumstance at every moment in history. Subject to none, influenced by none, and absolutely independent, God does what He pleases, only as He pleases, and always as He pleases. Nothing can stay His hand: “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please” (Isaiah 46:10). Once we better understand God’s sovereignty, coupled with His goodness, waiting for God to act becomes a matter of a child trusting in his father’s faithfulness, sure of his father’s strength. Don’t wait on God, rather wait in God; in His strength, in His timing, in His assurance, and in His peace!!