Wait and Watch

Today: John 11. Lazarus, Mary and Martha were close friends with Jesus. Lazarus dies while Jesus is away. Notice what Martha said to Jesus: "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." (John 11:21). What she said was true. No one ever died in the presence of Jesus. Jesus never conducted a funeral during His ministry. He performed a few resurrections (like we see in this chapter), but He never officiated a funeral. Why? In His words: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though He may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (v.25-26). But why the delay? Why did He delay in coming to them? Notice what He said: "And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe." (v.15). That's it. Had Jesus been there, Lazarus would not have died. Jesus would have done something that they had seen Him do over and over again: HEAL. But now they are about to see Him do something greater: RAISE LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD. How many times I have prayed, "Lord I'm in a situation like before....will you please get me out like you did before? Will you do it again?" And sometimes His answer is delayed. Why? Because He's about to reveal more of Himself to me than He did before. He's about to give me new grounds for believing Him more. If Jesus had not delayed His coming, Mary and Martha would have never known Him as the Resurrection and Life. Remember that. Each time God delays, watch very carefully. Because God is about to reveal something of Himself that you know not of Him. And it will deepen your faith and relationship with Him. What did Moses tell the Israelites as they stood at the Red Sea? "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today." (Ex.14:13). That's our word for today. Just stand still and watch what God will do next. Bless His Holy Name!