December 15, 2025
The Timing Of God
John 11:6, 25 – “When he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days… Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.“
The message was urgent and clear: “Lord, the one you love is sick.” The sisters had sent word with complete confidence that Jesus would come immediately. After all, these weren’t strangers but dear friends with whom He had shared meals and conversation. Yet the text records one of Scripture’s most perplexing responses: “When he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.”
From Mary and Martha’s perspective, Jesus had arrived too late. Their brother was dead, their hope extinguished. Martha’s greeting captured their disappointment: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Her words weren’t merely a statement of faith in Jesus’ healing power but an implicit question about His timing.
Throughout Scripture, God’s timetable rarely aligns with human expectations. Abraham waited decades for the promised son. Joseph spent years in prison before his elevation. The Israelites wandered forty years before entering Canaan. In each case, what appeared as divine delay served greater purposes than immediate intervention would have accomplished.
With Lazarus, Jesus explicitly revealed this principle: “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” The sisters wanted healing; Jesus planned resurrection. They sought relief; He intended revelation. Their timeline would have resulted in a remarkable recovery; His timeline showcased resurrection power.
When we cry out to God amid suffering, we naturally desire immediate deliverance. Yet sometimes the greater miracle lies beyond our preferred timeline. David acknowledged this tension in Psalm 13, beginning with “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” but concluding with “I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.”
God’s delays are not denials but invitations to witness greater dimensions of His character and power.
Today’s Prayer: Lord, help me trust Your perfect timing even when it differs from my expectations. Strengthen my faith to wait for the greater work You’re preparing to accomplish. Amen.
Reflection Question: When have you experienced a situation where God’s timing initially seemed “too late” but ultimately revealed a greater purpose?