Have you ever struggled with being patient? We live in an age where modern appliances have greatly reduced our wait time for routine household tasks. We have been conditioned to desire something and be able to get it immediately. God, however, does not work like that.
God’s timing often involves waiting. You may want to get married but can’t find the right spouse. Or, you may want a different job, but there are none to be found. Perhaps you may want speedy progress on your spiritual journey but have found it to be slow. Often, God makes us wait because it is for our own good and He is teaching us something in the process.
The Timing for Lazarus
In our story, Lazarus was quite ill, and Mary and Martha sent a note asking Jesus to come quickly. Jesus did not immediately rush off when He received the note. In fact, Jesus waited two full days. When he arrived at Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days.
Both Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, greet Jesus in the same way. They complain that Lazarus could have been saved if only Jesus had arrived before he died. They were objecting to Jesus’ timing. The sisters thought if His timing would have been different, Lazarus would still be alive. They had no idea that Jesus arrived right on time to accomplish the will of His heavenly Father.
God’s Timing in Your Life
When did you experience Jesus arriving at the right time in your life? Did His timing match your expectations? It always amazes me how much better God’s timing is than mine.
John 11:17 When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. 18 Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, 19 and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. 20 When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” [1]
As our story unfolds Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and doing so was an amazing demonstration of God’s glory. The timing of Jesus’ healing strengthened people’s faith and helped others realize who He was. God’s timing was perfect for God’s plan. Psalm 27:14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. [2]
Prayer
Lord, I thank You that You will answer my prayers in Your perfect timing. Reveal what is in my heart and make me ready to handle the answer in the right way when it comes. Help me to be patient in prayer, not give up, and trust You even during moments when I feel negative emotions. I don’t want to live by feelings but by faith.
Help me not to take matters in my own hands. I choose to trust you, and I refuse to believe the lies of the enemy. I choose to be faithful in prayer (Colossians 4:2). Deepen my understanding and give me a greater knowledge of what You are doing in my life. I choose to hold unswervingly to the hope that I profess (Hebrews 10:23). Stretch my faith in the midst of the wait, just as You did with Your disciples when encountering a storm at sea (Matthew 8:23-27). I thank You that You have all wisdom and will answer my prayers in the perfect way. In Jesus’ name, amen.[3]
To hear more about Mary and Martha’s encounter with Jesus, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/encountering-jesus-with-lazarus
[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/a-prayer-for-waiting-on-god-s-timing.html