Watch and Wait

THIS WEEK’S FOCUSED SCRIPTURE

John 11:21-22 (NIV) “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

John 11:32 (NIV) When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

THOUGHTS FROM BARB

Both Martha and Mary believed in Jesus to heal their brother, but both questioned why He waited two days before He decided to come. Jesus loved this family very much, but He waited, and was asking them to watch and see the glory of God.

It takes extra faith to wait and watch how God wants to untangle our problems. We want a fast, quick fix, but many times the longer we have to wait reveals how much we really do, or do not, trust God. It tests what we really believe. Will we trust He is in control of our situation? Can we get still and listen to what He has for us?

Romans 5:2b-5 …And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that our suffering produces perseverance: 4 perseverance, character: and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Jesus did not disappoint Martha and Mary. He had a bigger plan than theirs. All throughout the rest of this week’s reading of John, you will continue to hear about the testimony of Lazarus, and how him being raised from the dead spread everywhere. Many people came out to meet Jesus and followed Him. As we trust God in watching and waiting, we will see the bigger picture of God’s plan of untangling our messes. His ways are higher and better than ours and bring glory to Him.

Isaiah 40:31 says, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint.