This morning, we continue our series, “The Miracles of Jesus.” Before we get into the miracle, let’s look at the foundational scripture I will share with you all year.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us. I pray you get refreshed and restored as we study each miracle.
Read John 11
We have been looking at how Jesus reacted when He found out that Lazarus was sick. Instead of heading off to Bethany to heal Lazarus and comfort Mary and Martha, or instead of speaking a Word of healing that would cause the sickness to run like lightning, and instead of sending one of the disciples with a message that He was on His way, Jesus stayed where He was for two more days. He seemingly did nothing about this situation. Now, one thing He did do was to say, “This sickness will not end in death. No, this sickness is for the glory of God. This has happened to bring glory to the Son of God.” However, Mary and Martha were not there to hear those words. As far as they knew, Jesus had not found out about Lazarus’ situation. Or even worse, maybe He had found out, but in some weird twist of fate, He had not arrived yet.
This was a hard pill to swallow for the family. They knew Jesus had healed countless strangers, and they considered themselves close friends. So their relationship was not an issue. They had complete confidence in Jesus’ ability to heal. So their faith was not an issue. I am sure the sisters were racking their brains, attempting to come up with a reason why Jesus had not shown up. “Why is Jesus not here yet?” they would think. “Why would He not speak a Word of healing? Why was Lazarus getting worse, instead of better? Why, God, why?” I believe we have all been there, especially when a loved one is sick.
Let me go back to Jesus’ statement. All He had said to this point was, “This sickness will not end in death. No, this sickness is for the glory of God. This has happened to bring glory to the Son of God.” He had already caused the blind to see, the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak. Jesus had already fed an enormous crowd with a little boy’s lunch. He had already raised two people from the dead and performed countless other miracles, but He knew that this one, this miracle, this manifestation of the glory of God, would be the biggest one yet. This would be the miracle that would cause the buzz about Jesus to reach a fever-pitch. This would be the one that would drive the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the High Priest to want Jesus’ head. This would be the one that would drive the kingdom of darkness crazy.
But where does this leave Mary, Martha, and Lazarus? Sure, Jesus saw the end from the beginning, but they didn’t. Jesus knew what He was going to do and how God would get the glory for it, but they didn’t. Jesus knew that the sickness would not END in death, but it sure looked like it to the two sisters. And to make matters worse, Jesus chose to stay where He was for two more days. And it’s not because He was busy. It’s not because He was ministering to people. It’s not because He was in the middle of some big assignment for God. No, Jesus just simply CHOSE to stay where He was for two more days. He chose to delay the blessing. He chose to postpone the performance. He chose to defer the deliverance. Why? Because there was purpose wrapped up in what He was doing, there was a method to the seeming madness.
So what does this mean for you today? Two things:
1. God knows what He is doing – He is sovereign!
— The sisters had done their part, which was to make the petition. For you today, that would be prayer. They did what they needed to do. They placed their confidence in Jesus, but it was now on God. God had a plan; it just did not line up with theirs. Jesus knew that the sickness would not end in death and that He would be glorified through it. But the sisters did not. This is a great reminder for us this morning that God knows what He is doing. So as you face your situation, pray, believe God, and wait in anticipation, but just know that God may not do it the way you expect Him to. His way may be different than your way. His plan may not match your expectations. But know that when He does it, it will be much grander than anything you could have come up with because it will be His will, not yours!
— It’s easy to get “caught up” in your situation while God is looking at the bigger picture. When God finally does it, you will realize that He did it in such a way that was more purposeful than anything you were thinking about.
— God does not have to explain Himself, but He will reveal Himself in due season. There is a season when your manifestation is due. You just have to hold on long enough to see what God is up to! Don’t give up before your breakthrough.
— You must discern the difference between God’s purposes/timing and human expectations. God is more focused on His plans, which come in His timing, than our emotions. He did not want to hurt Mary and Martha. It’s not like God took pleasure in Lazarus having to die and remaining dead for four days. But in the end, God’s plans are more important than our feelings and even our pain.
— This miracle was going to be the biggest and greatest of Jesus’ ministry, so God was not going to allow the desires of Mary, Martha, or Lazarus to derail Jesus from His destiny.
— When you open your heart to the enormity of God and the fact that He is sovereign, it will change your perspective when you are going through something that seems like the “end of the world” to you, and you are frustrated that God is not moving as fast as you want Him to. Sometimes, God has to remind us that His plans are greater than ours and that we are on this planet for His purposes, not the other way around!
— While Lazarus was dying, and Mary and Martha were “freaking out,” God was not moved because He knew exactly what He was doing. Guess what? He knows what He is doing in your life as well. You can find peace in that revelation!
2. You have to get to the point where you truly Trust
God.
— Jesus intentionally delayed the blessing because the Father had a plan that was bigger than the request of the family. If Jesus had healed Lazarus when Mary and Martha wanted Him to, then God would not have been glorified on the level that He ultimately was. So when God is not moving on your timeline, you must trust that God is up to something and He knows exactly what He is doing (see John 11:1-44).
— Jesus’ delay was purposeful and deliberate. But it was not due to a lack of concern. It was just due to the fact that the Father had plans to do something bigger than He had ever done, through Jesus, for His glory. So God could not move when Mary and Martha wanted Him to because His plans were bigger than theirs. This is a great reminder for us to trust in the power and sovereignty of God!
— Jesus allowed Lazarus to die to ultimately glorify God and solidify the faith of those around Him. There was purpose in the pain.
— Trust God, even when it seems like His plan and His timing do not line up with your plans or your timing.
— Trust in God’s wisdom and timing, even when it seems counterintuitive or challenging.
— Trust that God knows what He is doing, even when you don’t. Trust in His sovereignty.
— Your trust must be rooted in your belief that God loves you and He has your best in mind. So, even when you don’t understand what He’s doing, you can trust Him and believe that it will work out for your good.
— When you trust God, you learn how to be patient in prayer. You know that if God does not show up on your timeline, it is because His trumps yours.
— When you trust God, you embrace uncertainty. You remind yourself that God is still God and that He has a plan, even if you don’t know what it is.
— When you trust God, you learn how to open your heart to His will, even when it causes you bitter pain. Walking with God is not always going to be easy. The will of God is not always about what you consider to be prosperity and victory. Sometimes, the will of God involves waiting long (long-suffering), enduring pain, and suffering through uncomfortable situations. This is another reason why I teach #TheGraceLife. God’s grace is not just on you to WIN every battle and ENJOY the ride. The grace of God is also there to ENDURE, SUFFER, SUSTAIN, WITHSTAND, and PERSEVERE!
— When you truly trust God, you embrace the grace for it all! Good or bad, easy or difficult, you are committed to walking with God for the long haul, by His grace and for His glory! This is the life of faith, and it is the way we are called to live!
*** While Jesus was glorified in this amazing miracle, don’t forget a family God loved had to go through a horrifying experience. God trusted them with the blessing, and He also trusted them with the grace to endure the pain! In the end, He was glorified! I hope this helps you have a sober mindset when it comes to the things of God.
That’s enough for today.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me!
I am excited about what You have planned for my life for this year and beyond.
You taught me through the prophet Isaiah that Your ways are above my ways, and Your thoughts are above my thoughts.
Your Spirit lives inside of me, and I believe He can reveal to me what You are doing, but even if He doesn’t, and even if I don’t know the purpose behind what You permit, I declare that I will still trust You.
I will trust You through the highs and lows, ups and downs, good days and not-so-pleasant days. I am committed to walking with You all the days of my life! I embrace the grace for it all!
No matter what comes my way, I will remain in-faith and trust You, knowing that however it works out, it will be for my good!
I live The Grace Life, and GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
