God's Timing is Perfect - (John 11)
John 11: 1, 4 – 7, 17, 21
v 1. A man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village where Mary and her sister Martha lived.
v. 4 - 7 When Jesus heard this, he said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory. God's Son will receive glory because of it." Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. But after he heard Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was for two more days.
Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."
v. 17When Jesus arrived, he found out that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.
v.21"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "I wish you had been here! Then my brother would not have died.
3 things jump out to me when I read the account of the raising of Lazarus from the dead:
1) Jesus loved these people very much. And when you love someone, you want their best. You would never intend their hurt, but do things only in their best interest. However, we don't always understand that it's in our best interest.
Like prayer, we ask for things and expect results. A "yes" is great, but a "no" requires a deeper relationship with God. Knowing or trusting that He is working in His time and according to His plan calls for a faith in His love for us.
2) I must not limit God. According to everything Martha and Mary could see – their brother was dead, and all hope was gone. But God is omnipotent and can work beyond what we understand is possible. He is not limited by the natural law of the universe (which He created) but is, in fact, the Lord of those laws - He is super-natural.
How often have I limited God working in my life and not stepped out in faith when He asked me to do something or go somewhere or speak to someone… or share His love with someone? I need to trust Him and know that He is the Almighty God.
3) God's timing is perfect. We used to have a clock on the kitchen wall, and on its face were the words, "God's timing is perfect." He's never too early or late, but always on time. He always is there when I need Him most.
The same was true in the situation with Lazarus. He never had anything but love in mind for him and his sisters. He knew He would restore Lazarus… and, in doing so, accomplish much more. He knew He would:
Strengthen their faith and the faith of all those watching.
Glorify the Father and Himself.
Cause many non-believers to see God's power and authority.
Immensely deepen the bond of love He already had with the 3 siblings.
So, when we ask God for something, remember:
· He loves us deeply and has our best in mind.
· We should never limit Him from exceeding our wildest expectations.
· We need to have faith that He will answer our prayers according to His plan and in His time.