Nobody likes delay, especially when it comes to the promises of God. Waiting and waiting and waiting can be both exhausting and painful to our own soul. Our soul cries out, “God, where are You? God, why don’t You show up?”
Yet, in that expectant and hope filled waiting ... we mature, our character is refined, we become a greater ambassador for The Kingdom, and God’s glory gets revealed IN us (Romans 8:18).
Lazarus, whom Jesus loved, was dying – Mary and Martha wanted to send Jesus immediately to Lazarus. Yet, Jesus stayed 2 days longer in the place that He was (John 11:1-6).
- Jesus knew this death would bring glory.
- Jesus knew this death wouldn’t be able to hold Lazarus.
- Jesus knew this death was part of the kingdom plan.
In fact, raising Lazarus on the 4th day brought The Lord so much glory among the people, this miracle itself ACCELERATED the plans of the Jewish elite to kill Jesus (John 11:45-53). This very moment thrust Jesus into the destiny of the cross!
YES, this perceived worsening of a situation by Jesus, was both SELFLESSNESS and LOVE on the part of The Lord. Jesus was far more concerned with: the eternal plan of God; the work of the cross; His own imminent suffering; and the future salvation of both Jew and Gentile than just the healing of His good friend.
YES, The Pharisees wanted to kill Jesus for the greater good of Israel (John 11:50), and yet Jesus was preparing this very moment to die for the greater good of His kingdom.
YES, Jesus was working THE plan, while Mary and Martha only saw pain in the moment.
One other great example of delay is found in Acts Chapter 3. A lame man had spent roughly 40 years parking himself daily right in front of the Beautiful Gate at the temple. Yes, he was there EVERY SINGLE DAY for 40 years! Truly, this was a brilliant place to be as the man was able to collect alms from daily Temple goers.
Friends. He wasn’t even seeking healing. He was seeking silver and gold. Yet, shortly after Pentecost and 3,000 Jewish people receiving salvation, Peter and John walked by the lame man ... and the man SUDDENLY received full healing!
REMEMBER, having first entered the temple as a young boy, Jesus had to of walked PAST this man MANY, MANY times over roughly a 20 year period just to enter the temple!!!
YES!!!!! Jesus knew, but waited! Why? The day this man was healed, and he was finally brought INTO the Temple .... 2,000 more men (plus their families) believed and received salvation!
There was an ACCELERATION of the gospel! There was a specific timing for this particular miracle, and there was a GREATER glory!
And, the man got MORE than he thought even possible – he wasn’t just whole physically but also emotionally. As this man had never been previously allowed INTO the temple because he had been seen as being accursed ... he now finally BELONGED in the Temple. This man was now a functioning member of the community, economy, and social structure - yes his soul was healed too!
Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?” says the Lord; “shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb?” says your God (Isaiah 66:9).
- If you are expecting the birth of His own promises through you.
- If you are pregnant with expectation of something wonderful.
- If you are in labor pains while waiting to SEE what you’ve waited for.
To be brought by God to the POINT of birth, implies there had been lots of pain getting TO that point! We don't get to the moment of delivery without lots of pain getting there. It's part of the process of birth.
Yes. Giving birth will always be painful. But look to the joy set before you (Hebrews 12:2). That same joy took Jesus to the cross, and will certainly get us through the carrying of our own cross.
Friend. Your expectant waiting, is a testimony to greater glory! "For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37