Divine Delays

Divine Delays: Discovering God's Purpose in Waiting

Have you ever felt like God was taking too long to answer your prayers? Like He was somehow absent when you needed Him most? You're not alone. The story of Lazarus' resurrection provides a powerful lens through which we can understand God's timing and purpose in our lives, especially during those seemingly endless periods of waiting.

Picture this: A man named Lazarus falls gravely ill. His sisters, Mary and Martha, send word to Jesus, their close friend, expecting Him to rush to their aid. But instead of immediately coming to heal Lazarus, Jesus stays where He is for two more days. By the time He arrives, Lazarus has been dead for four days.

At first glance, this delay seems cruel, even negligent. How could someone who loves this family let them suffer like this? But as the story unfolds, we see that God's delays are not denials – they're opportunities for greater miracles and deeper faith.
This account challenges us to examine our own responses when God doesn't act according to our timetable. Do we doubt His love? Do we pout and withdraw? Or do we press in, believing that He has a greater purpose?

The Divine Delay reveals three potential responses in our hearts:

1. Those Who Doubt When Jesus finally arrived, Martha ran out to meet Him. Her words betray a mixture of faith and frustration: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." How often do we question God's timing or methods? Martha's interaction with Jesus shows us that it's okay to be honest about our doubts, but we must remain open to seeing God work in unexpected ways.
2. Those Who Pout While Martha went to meet Jesus, Mary stayed at home. Perhaps she was too hurt or angry to face Him. It's a natural human response to withdraw when we feel let down. But isolation only deepens our pain and prevents us from experiencing God's comfort and power. The story reminds us that even when we don't understand, we need to keep showing up, keep seeking God's presence.
3. Those Who Come Out Eventually, Mary does go to Jesus, falling at His feet in worship and grief. This act of "coming out" – of moving towards God even in our pain – is crucial. It positions us to witness and participate in the miracle God wants to perform.

The account of Lazarus teaches us a profound truth: God's delays are often designed to reveal something greater about His character and power. 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." Sometimes, God allows situations to worsen so that His intervention will be undeniable and His glory unmistakable.

But here's the kicker – while God's power is sovereign, He often invites us to participate in our own miracles. When Jesus was ready to raise Lazarus, He didn't miraculously remove the stone from the tomb. Instead, He told the people gathered there to roll it away themselves. There's a powerful principle at work here: Divine sovereignty combined with human responsibility.

We see this pattern throughout Scripture:

• Joshua had to march around Jericho before the walls fell.
• Moses had to stretch out his staff before the Red Sea parted.
• The blind man had to wash in the pool of Siloam to receive his sight.

God is always ready to do what only He can do, but He often asks us to do what we can do first. This might mean taking a step of faith, choosing forgiveness, or simply showing up consistently even when we don't feel like it.
The story of Lazarus culminates in a dramatic resurrection, but it's worth noting that Jesus wept before performing this miracle. This poignant detail reminds us that God is not detached from our suffering. He feels our pain deeply, even as He works to bring about a greater good.

So what do we do when we're in the midst of a divine delay?

1. Keep communicating with God. Be honest about your feelings, but remain open to hearing His voice.
2. Surround yourself with faith-filled people. Just as Mary needed Martha's encouragement to go to Jesus, we need others to speak hope into our situations.
3. Take action in faith. Do whatever God is asking you to do, no matter how small it seems.
4. Remember God's faithfulness in the past. Recall the times He's come through for you before.
5. Focus on God's character rather than your circumstances. Trust that He is good, loving, and working for your benefit, even when you can't see it.
6. Be prepared for God to do something new. He may want to reveal Himself to you in a way you've never experienced before.

The divine delay in your life might be frustrating, even painful. But it's not purposeless. God may be setting the stage for a miracle that will not only change your situation but will transform your understanding of who He is.
As you wait, choose to believe that God is not absent or indifferent. He's working behind the scenes, orchestrating events for your good and His glory. Your breakthrough might be just around the corner. Don't give up – your shout of victory could be coming sooner than you think.

Remember, in God's economy, nothing is wasted. Every delay, every struggle, every tear is being woven into a tapestry of redemption that's more beautiful than we can imagine. So hold on, press in, and watch expectantly. Your divine delay might just be the prelude to your greatest miracle yet.