FAITH AND TRUST ARE REQUIRED WHEN WE DON’T UNDERSTAND GOD’S ACTIONS

BIBLE PASSAGE:
So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, 
he stayed where he was two more days, 
(John 11:6)

MEDITATION:
Many times we fail to understand God’s Will in all things.
For instance, we know that Jesus could heal his friend Lazarus, 
but He remained where He was for two days before going to him.
It is natural for us to think, 
“If He doesn’t heal Lazarus, then he could get worse”.

When we read the scriptures we discover that he did get worse...and died.
Why wouldn’t Jesus go and heal him in his time of need?
Jesus always has reasons for His actions, or inactions.
First of all, He was on God’s timetable and not man’s; 
His thoughts were the same as God’s and not the ones of mortal men.

Secondly, He knew that healing Lazarus would never impact others 
in the same manner that bringing him back to life would get their attention.
If He had healed Lazarus, it was yet another one of the healings by Jesus,
but if He restored his life, then it was something others had not seen,
and God would be glorified as a result, along with His Son, Jesus.
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)

Even though His disciples gave up everything for the Lord, 
apparently they needed reassurance that following Him was a good decision.
Jesus told them that 
they would witness something that would confirm their faith.
So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad 
I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” (John 11:14-15)

Lastly, if we do the math and look at what Jesus said to His disciples, we 
see that Lazarus was already dead when Jesus received word that he was sick.

Did Jesus care about Lazarus?
Of course He did, just like He cares about you and me.
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. (John 11:5)
Look at the compassion He felt for a grieving sister 
and the support of her kind-hearted friends.
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her 
also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. (John 11:33)

Again we see an outward expression of His heart of love for others.
Jesus wept. (John 11:35)
For a third time we see His love for others (He was deeply moved).
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb.
It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. (John 11:38)

Jesus knew that His delay would result in the new, 
or increased faith of others.
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, 
you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40)

And look at the impact it had on those who witnessed the power of God.
Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, 
and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. (John 11:45)
Did He know what He was doing and was it a good plan? 
Yes to both questions!

ACTION:
We do not have the right, 
nor the power to second guess the actions of the Lord.
We have been given a brain, but it does not make us omniscient (all-knowing).
God knows all and sees all, 
so of course He has plans that are different than ours.
We see one float at a time in a parade, 
but He sees the entire parade from beginning to end.

When you think that the Lord is not responding to your requests 
in the right way, remember this report of how He responded 
to His friend Lazarus in his time of need.
Since He is not on your timetable, you can’t always see the Lord at work, 
but if you have faith and trust Him, 
then show it by waiting on His perfect timing.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me for assuming that You should do 
things the way I expect them to be done and on the timetable I 
have established in my finite mind. Help me to remember that 
You are all-knowing and I’m not. Give me the patience, trust 
and faith that You love me and are orchestrating what is best 
for me at the right time.”

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