While I’ve been a Christian for many years, there are some aspects of Jesus’ life that I’ve only recently come to wonder about. Like what His Galilean accent really sounded like, what mannerisms He picked up from Joseph and Mary, and who His best friends were. Actually, today’s passage sheds light on that last question. While Jesus called His disciples “friends” (John 15:15), it was Martha, Mary, and Lazarus who we’re told that He “loved” (John 11:5,36).
It’s funny how Jesus treats those He loves.
These two sisters—Jesus’ best friends—once sent Him word: “Lord, Your dear friend is very sick” (John 11:3). Far from dropping everything to come to their aid, Jesus stayed where He was, seemingly ignoring their cry for help. And when He did come, He arrived at Lazarus’ funeral late! (John 11:17-19). The sisters understandably expressed their grief: “Lord, if only You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21,32).
Surely, this is no way to treat those you love.
But Jesus had made a comment that Martha and Mary had not been privileged to hear. “Lazarus’ sickness will not end in death,” He’d said on receiving news of the illness. “No, it happened for the glory of God” (John 11:4). When He arrived, He wept (John 11:33-35). As He wept, He approached the tomb. And as we know from reading the story, Jesus’ mighty cry brought the beloved Lazarus out of the tomb (John 11:43-44). The sisters indeed saw the glory of God (John 11:40).
Ever felt ignored by God? Like your cries have gone unnoticed?
Could it be you didn’t understand His good intentions for your crisis?
Could it be that He weeps as He sees your pain?
Could it be that as you wait patiently for His arrival, you will see the glory of God?
More:
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord (Psalm 27:14).
Next:
What are you waiting for God to do in your life? How is God shaping your character while you wait?
jenteeter on June 22, 2010 at 6:50 am
Sometimes we have bundled things so badly in our lives that it is difficult He sees our pain anymore, or will reach down into the pit and pull us out. I fee so broken, scared and alone and yet I cannot deny the living God and that He does see the big picture and not just the key hole I am looking throught.
jenteeter on June 22, 2010 at 6:52 am
correction: “difficult to believe He sees our pain”
and “not just the key hole I am looking through”
sheridan voysey on June 22, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Yes, hold on to that Jenteeter – remember, Mary and Martha never heard Jesus’ original words about the purpose of their suffering. Hold on and do what He calls you to do to walk forward. He’s coming…
cathyekay on June 25, 2010 at 9:49 am
I feel your frustration and sadness Jenteeter!
I too have totally felt like you have described!
I guess it is important for us to believe and trust Him in the tough times as well as the good!
Journaling has helped me….being 100% honest with Him….telling Him exactly how you feel He knows it anyway. He will respond and in such a way that you know that you know it is Him….
heatherlyn on June 22, 2010 at 7:09 am
This piece has been such an encouragement to me today!
Back in April i was privileged to travel to Haiti to help those in need. While there i stayed at an orphanage where between 40 and 50 kids were living. I felt this intense love and devotion to a 15 year old boy by the name of Tommy. I just knew i had to try to make him a part of our family some how. I knew in my heart that is what God wanted of me.
So since i have been home we have been working to bring him here on a student visa, as we discovered that adoption is not an option for many reasons. But it has been such a trying time for me. I feel God has laid this on my heart. But now in the thick of it all and with realization that the chances of him getting a visa accepted are extremely slim. I am growing weary.
This devotion has helped me realize that God has not forgotten me. That He has his own timing and His own way of doing things. He loves me, and Tommy. And he will work it all together for good somehow. I just have to trust, and as Jesus said in verse 41…know that He has heard me. That He always hears me!
Thank you so much for this encouragement today!
I needed it so badly.
tom felten on June 22, 2010 at 8:25 am
heartherlyn, thanks for posting and for your example to all of us in the ODJ community. First, you chose to go to Haiti to help some needy kids in Haiti. What a great example of selfless love! Then, you compassionately reached out to a young man in need. We will pray for Tommy and for the possibility of him coming to live with your family.
sheridan voysey on June 22, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Ditto. Thanks for the encouraging feedback heatherlyn.
tony rodriguez on June 22, 2010 at 8:37 am
JESUS WEPT. THE SHORTEST YET ONE OF THE MOST IF NOT THE MOST PROFOUND VERSES IN THE BIBLE. ALL POWERFUL, ALL KNOWING GOD, YET ALL MAN HE COULDN’T CONTAIN HIS LOVE FOR LAZARUS, OR ANY OF US. BUT HE KNOWS THE END FROM THE BEGINNING. HALLELUJAH! BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD. RELAX WITH YOUR HANDS AT YOUR SIDE DON’T TRY TO DO ANYTHING. HE IS IN COMPLETE CONTROL. EVEN TODAY JESUS IS CALLING US OUT OF SITUATIONS THAT ARE KILLING US. THANK YOU LORD THAT ALTHOUGH YOU DON’T ALWAYS COME WHEN WE WANT OR WHEN WE THINK YOU SHOULD YOU DO COME.
sowharvest on June 22, 2010 at 9:55 am
Thanks so much for this reading today. I must proclaim that JESUS always know what we need and WHEN we need. It is no coincidence that we are reading this devotional on this day –as we each deal with WHATEVER situation is in our lives. Yet we are to know this truth–GOD IS ABLE.. GOD IS NOT A MAN THAT HE SHOULD LIE….. WHATEVER HE SAYS HE WILL SURELY DO. (Num 23:19) These past couple of years have been so difficult yet within them I have learned to WAIT on the LORD(Ps40:1-3). To wait patiently is to have a peace that GOD will make it all right. It doesn’t mean we won’t fret — It just that our fretting is so slight and we reign in our human tendencies and trust in the word of GOD. As I re-read the story of Lazarus (for probably the 400th time) I am struck by how I too like Mary & Martha missed the message of v.4″ this sickness(whatever situation is causing pain in our lives) is not unto death(it is not to destroy us–IT WILL NOT DEFEAT US), but for the glory of GOD(so that anyone and everyone will say without doubting –“look at what the LORD JESUS has done). Praise be to GOD. May all be blessed..
sheridan voysey on June 22, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Perhaps ‘Through Jesus, this will not defeat me’ is a good phrase to memorise today. Thanks sowharvest.
hello on June 22, 2010 at 10:48 am
DEar Ted:
Thanks for your sharing here, I believe God will speak to us through people. I really get encouraged from your testimony here, especially
“And for very good reason, for He uses the time we wait to teach us – we must use this time to learn.”[quote]
I faced many obstacles on my own before and feeling very lonely during those times because has nobody able to help me get through this. However, when I looked back to all these incidents, I have become more knowledgable and more stronger than before.
I prayed that eveyone here, will have faith in the Lord. Please give Him time to work the things out and fix it in order for us. Amen.
fd on June 22, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Thank you all for those uplifting text and comments about waiting patiently on God. I am presently in a difficult situation and I could have collapsed already, had it not been my encounter with the book of Joseph M. Stowel “The Upside of Down: Finding hope when it hurts” which has helped me to accept pains as steps toward spirtual growth in my earthly journey. Remember God has set a time for our training out of our pain. For David, it had taken 10 years in his running and hiding to escape threats on his life from King Saul. As human like us, David desesperately cried out to God in psalm 13 but at the end he had learned that God was his protector and provider and it was a way for God to prepare him to rule the country. I like this saying from Stowell ‘God will never waste our sorrows’, make sure you are able to respond productively in the midst of your pains. Also remember it is God’s goal to change us into instruments “useful to the Master and prepare to do any good work” (2 Tim 2:21).
tom felten on June 22, 2010 at 1:05 pm
fd, I’m so glad Joe Stowell’s book “The Upside of Down” has been a big help as you’ve faced a difficult path. Here’s a link to the book for those who are interested: http://www.dhp.org/Products/Upside-of-Down–The—Finding-Hope-When-It-Hurts__X9529.aspx
sheridan voysey on June 22, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Am really blessed by the ‘mutual ministry’ happening here today. It’s nice to see the ODJ/Christian community at work!
mikan on June 22, 2010 at 6:55 pm
God is truly an amazing God…^_^ He always had a better plans for His children….^_^
Glory to God! ^_^
graceofGod on June 23, 2010 at 2:39 am
Thank you Sheridian for this devotional and thank you all for sharing. I think the ODJ community is one of the ways through which God is telling us that He knows what each of us is going through and has sent brothers and sisters to encourage us.
Dear Ted, I am sure all of us have been in your shoes before, when things seem to get worse and God seems silent although we are doing what God wants us to do. During such times, focus on Jesus and His promises and not on the storm around us. These last couple of years have been really trying for me. But I have also experienced God’s enabling and healing. I find that very often it is my impatience, my fears and my walking by sight that derail God’s perfect plan for me. Will keep you in my prayers.
fd, thanks, I like the quote “God will never waste our sorrows.” Will try to get my hand on this book.
cathyekay on June 25, 2010 at 9:45 am
Ted,
Do not panic. Do not despair. Always trust in the Lord. Be Still and know that He is Lord. I really needed to hear this today. I too am going through some domestic problems one of which is being unemployeed for over a year.
I have to be honest though that I have read many devotionals that say “Wait on God” and then so many others that say “Don’t just do nothing act on your faith”! Is there a formula for waiting or acting? How are we to know when we are to wait and when we are to act? I have been so encouraged by God speaking to me words of assurance and comfort but no real direction in my life right now. Ok so we are back to the beginning:
Don’t Panic. Don’t Despair. Always Trust the Lord. Be still and know He is LORD.
sheridan voysey on June 28, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Hi cathyekay.
The waiting-acting dilemma is a tricky one, isn’t it? We can tend to lean to one of two opposites – waiting on God and doing nothing, or running on to fight the problem in our own strength. I’ve always loved Nehemiah 4:9: ‘But we prayed to our God and posted a guard…’. Nehemiah did both! One informed and tempered the other.
As to the specifics of when to act (after prayer) to a particular situation, that needs the wisdom of a Christian friend and / or community who knows the details to help you discern.
Hope this helps.
Sheridan