Not What You Expected, But Exactly What You Needed
"Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was" - John 11:5-6
If you ever wonder why God hasn’t moved yet, you’re not the first. Mary and Martha had sent word that their brother Lazarus was dying, and they expected Jesus to come immediately. Instead, He waited. On purpose. Jesus stayed where He was for two more days, allowing the situation to get worse before He ever made a move. That may sound strange, but His delay was not neglect. It was a strategy. His love for them wasn’t proven by how fast He fixed things, but by what He was preparing to reveal about Himself through it all.
Jesus eventually showed up, and when He did, Lazarus had already been dead four days. Martha said what we often feel, “Lord, if you had been here, this wouldn’t have happened.” But what she didn’t know was that Jesus hadn’t missed it. He was right on time. He hadn’t come to prevent a death. He came to reverse one. That was the plan all along.
When you trust God, you have to trust Him on His terms. Sometimes that means He waits. Sometimes that means it looks like He’s late. But He isn’t. And just because it doesn’t go the way you expected doesn’t mean He’s not doing exactly what is needed.
God is not obligated to follow your timeline. He’s not scrambling to fix something He forgot. He’s working behind the scenes. And when the time is right, He will move in a way that leaves no question who did it. The story of Lazarus reminds us that God’s delays are not denials. They are often setups for something greater.
Don’t lose hope if things haven’t turned around yet. You might be looking for a quick fix, but God is planning a resurrection. His timing, His way, for His glory. And when it happens, you’ll realize it was better than anything you were asking for in the first place.
If you ever wonder why God hasn’t moved yet, you’re not the first. Mary and Martha had sent word that their brother Lazarus was dying, and they expected Jesus to come immediately. Instead, He waited. On purpose. Jesus stayed where He was for two more days, allowing the situation to get worse before He ever made a move. That may sound strange, but His delay was not neglect. It was a strategy. His love for them wasn’t proven by how fast He fixed things, but by what He was preparing to reveal about Himself through it all.
Jesus eventually showed up, and when He did, Lazarus had already been dead four days. Martha said what we often feel, “Lord, if you had been here, this wouldn’t have happened.” But what she didn’t know was that Jesus hadn’t missed it. He was right on time. He hadn’t come to prevent a death. He came to reverse one. That was the plan all along.
When you trust God, you have to trust Him on His terms. Sometimes that means He waits. Sometimes that means it looks like He’s late. But He isn’t. And just because it doesn’t go the way you expected doesn’t mean He’s not doing exactly what is needed.
God is not obligated to follow your timeline. He’s not scrambling to fix something He forgot. He’s working behind the scenes. And when the time is right, He will move in a way that leaves no question who did it. The story of Lazarus reminds us that God’s delays are not denials. They are often setups for something greater.
Don’t lose hope if things haven’t turned around yet. You might be looking for a quick fix, but God is planning a resurrection. His timing, His way, for His glory. And when it happens, you’ll realize it was better than anything you were asking for in the first place.
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10 Comments
Wow!! “His delay was not neglect. It was a strategy.” What an important reminder of what it looks like to trust God, and His character. He is not a neglectful Father, but One who shows up!!
Wow!!! This really spoke to us. Pastor Ed, Willie and I can’t thank you and Stephanie enough for all you’ve poured out to us, the church. We praise God for bringing us to CBC. We are honored to be shepherded and serve under your leadership. God continue to pour into you as you pour into us.
I’m with these guys! Just like on those game shows when it comes to God if I have a choice over getting what I can see right in front of me or that thing I can’t see that God is offering, I’ll take the thing God is offering for sure every time. That promise is true and it’s always way more than I ever even thought of. Blown away is the title of that gift and it’s my favorite no matter the circumstance.
wow! John 11:15 mentions Jesus was glad he wasn't there when Lazarus died, Spanish Bible version DHH mentions "Jesus was actually HAPPY he wasn't there ....", never really thought about that, of course so that his disciples can truly believe on the miracle he was about to do to bring Lazarus to life from being dead. wow! Thanks Pastor Ed for today's devo.
Great message spot on for me to share with someone in my life who needs this message more than I do. Thank you pastor
Pastor Ed you will never know how much my family needed this message. We are in a season of waiting and as you said it’s not neglect just strategy. The Glory be to God and his plan !
Amen! God is always on time!
I really needed this. I’m a pastor and a Clinical Chaplain Manager for a major Hospital in California and sometimes I encourage others even when I’m feeling discouraged. This really helped me. Thank you
This was for me! Wow.
35 Jesus wept. With all His wisdom, all His power, He still weeps with us. 38 Jesus, once more deeply moved. We matter so much to Him, we are loved so much by Him. The same One who knew us before He knew us, the same One that created the cosmos, weeps with us. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.