God's Glory or Your Comfort?

I have always found the story of Lazarus a challenging story in John 11. When Jesus found out His friend, Lazarus, was sick he said in v.4 "This sickness will not end in death...it is for God's glory." But of course Lazarus did die. His sisters, Mary and Martha, were deeply grieved. God's Word says in v. 6 after hearing the news and making this prophetic proclamation that Jesus "stayed where He was two more days." It was during that time that Lazarus died. But, He just said "this sickness would not end in death..."

When we face difficult trials and moments of great need, do we make allowances for God's will and God's timing? When we bring God our "news" of the latest events in our life, are we willing to trust even when it seems too late? Even when it seems the action of God seems to be inaction?

We of course have the benefit of knowing the end of the story. Lazarus was called forth from death and the tomb by the command of the Lord. But in between those moments there was real pain, real distress, real faith and hope that seemed to have been misplaced. It was too late right? Jesus failed to move and intervene. Mary and Martha may have been doing what we do, "did we sin and blow it?" "Is God too busy?" "Does He not love us like we thought?"

John 11 also contains one of my favorite memory verses (due in no small part too its length!). In v. 35 we read "Jesus wept." Why would the Holy Spirit include those two small words in the text for us to read through the ages? If you are like me then you have asked Jesus to glorify Himself through your life. You want Jesus to shine brightly and clearly for all to see. For this to happen it often requires you to be placed in situations where Jesus gets to come to the rescue and is thus glorified. In those moments when we are feeling the very real pain, distress and clinging to hope it is important to know that Jesus is right there with us feeling everything we feel. He is not unmoved by cares of our heart. Even though He knows the end of the story, even though He knows the joy that is coming, He LOVES us! He is deeply moved by the pain in our hearts.

God's will and God's timing might be beyond our grasp in those moments. Will you trust? Will you continue to allow room in your in your life for God to glorify Himself? Or will you live a greatly diminished life by only being guided by things like safety, comfort, least amount of risk? When it seems too late, will you continue hoping in the Lord; will you trust in His love for you?

Spend some time in John 11 today. See if the Spirit has anything to speak to your heart.