“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 11:4, NIV).
When Jesus had heard that his friend, Lazarus, was
near death, He did not rush to his side. He lingered two days before going to
him. He knew the outcome was life for Lazarus, and a witness to the amazing
power of God. At that point others around Him could not see that truth. They
just did not understand why Jesus, who had healed so many others, would not rush
to heal His friend. Jesus knew it was an opportunity to bring glory to God.
Whatever sickness or problem or situation or danger we face, it is also another
opportunity to bring glory to God. Jesus lingers sometimes in rescuing us, just
as He lingered in rescuing Lazarus, so that we might learn a lesson in the midst
of hardship, or grow closer to Him through a prolonged illness, or discover a
depth of faith to believe in what we cannot see. He knows of our troubles and
our illnesses, and He comes when the time is right for deliverance and healing.
He does not linger in order to punish us, but to bring greater promise and
purpose to our life.
Jesus loves
the whole world that He died for. When you accept Him into your heart, and
believe He is your Savior, His promises in His Word are true for you. Now here
is a promise. “Heal me, Lord,” Jeremiah
declared, “and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the
one I praise” (Jeremiah 17:14, NIV). His Word is truth. He does save and He does
heal. But His ways and timing are not ours (Isaiah 55:8). It is in His time.
Always remember that no matter what you face right now, God is faithful. He will
never allow more than you can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). One day He will rescue
and He will heal. In the midst of your pain and hardship, seek and pray for
faith to believe.
“Then Jesus
said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, 'Father, I thank you
that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the
benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.'
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The
dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth
around his face. Jesus said to them, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him
go'” (John 11:40-44, NIV).
If
you believe, you shall the glory of God. Believe it, and watch your stone roll
away. Don't despair in the midst of your illness or your struggle or your
problem or your heartache. Praise Him for His faithfulness to you even when He
lingers for your benefit (Hebrews 13:15). He calls forth your healing, your
deliverance, and your promise when His time is perfect. He rescues you from what
would kill your faith and your spiritual life. You walk forth out of the grave
clothes that have held you in bondage into His newness of life (Romans
6:1-4).
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