🌿 When Jesus Delays: The Glory Hidden in Our Waiting

John 11:1–44 — The Raising of Lazarus

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📖 Scripture Reading

John 11:1–44 (Read the full Scripture from the Holy Bible)

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die.” — John 11:25

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✨ Introduction: When God’s Silence Feels Loud

There are moments in life when heaven feels quiet—when prayers seem unanswered and God appears distant. We cry out, we wait, and we wonder if He truly sees our pain. The story of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha speaks powerfully into those moments.

This is not just a story about death and resurrection—it is a story about trust, timing, and a Savior who enters our grief before He reveals His glory.

If you have ever asked, “Lord, why didn’t You come sooner?”—this devotion is for you.

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📖 Observation: A Love That Waits, A Power That Redeems

Jesus had a deep, personal relationship with Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary. When Lazarus became gravely ill, they sent word to Jesus, confident that He would come immediately.

But He didn’t.

Instead, Jesus remained where He was for two more days. To human understanding, this delay seemed careless—even cruel. Yet Jesus declared:

“This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory, so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4)

When Jesus finally arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days—far beyond human hope. In Jewish belief, the soul was thought to linger for three days. By the fourth day, all hope was gone.

And yet—this was precisely when Jesus chose to act.

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🕯️ Jesus Wept: The God Who Feels Our Pain

When Jesus saw Mary and the mourners weeping, Scripture says:

“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)

This moment reveals something profound:
Jesus does not rush past our sorrow. He enters it.

He was deeply moved—not because He lacked power, but because He felt their grief. He allowed Himself to feel the weight of human sorrow. This is a Savior who does not stand distant from our pain.

“I hurt with the hurt of my people.” — Jeremiah 8:21

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✨ The Miracle: When Hope Seems Buried

Standing before the tomb, Jesus commanded the stone to be rolled away. Martha hesitated—death had already done its work.

But Jesus reminded her:

“Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

Then He prayed aloud—not for His sake, but so the people would believe—and cried out:

“Lazarus, come out!”

And the impossible happened.

The dead man walked out—still wrapped in grave clothes.

Jesus then gave a powerful instruction:

“Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

This was not only a miracle of resurrection—it was a picture of freedom.

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🌱 Life Application: What This Means for Us Today

🪴 1. God’s Delays Are Not Denials
What feels like delay is often divine preparation. God’s timing is never late.

🪴 2. Jesus Enters Our Pain, Not Avoids It
He sees your tears. He feels your heartbreak. You are never alone in suffering.

🪴 3. What Feels Dead Is Not Beyond God’s Reach
Dreams, relationships, faith, hope—nothing is too far gone for Him.

🪴 4. God Uses Our Struggles to Reveal His Glory
Your testimony may become the very thing that leads others to believe.

🪴 5. Freedom Follows Resurrection
When Jesus calls us out of our “tombs,” He also calls us to remove what binds us—fear, shame, guilt, and unbelief.

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✍️ Personal Testimony: When God Turned My Pain Into Purpose

There was a season when my life felt like a long valley—filled with illness, financial hardship, heartbreak, and uncertainty. I questioned why following Jesus seemed to lead to more trials instead of less.

Yet, through every hardship, I sensed the Lord whispering, “Trust Me.”

Over time, I realized that every trial was shaping my faith. Every tear was preparing me for a greater testimony. What once felt like loss became evidence of God’s faithfulness.

Just as Lazarus had to experience death before Jesus brought him back to life, I’ve learned that God sometimes allows difficult endings so He can show us His love, restore us, and give us a fresh beginning.

Today, I understand why He allowed me to walk that road—so that others might find hope through my story.

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🕊️ Prayer

🕯️ Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being a God who sees, hears, and feels our pain.
When I don’t understand Your timing, help me trust Your heart.
When I feel buried beneath trials, remind me that You are the Resurrection and the Life.
Use my struggles for Your glory and my testimony to bring hope to others.
Strengthen my faith, renew my joy, and help me walk in obedience.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

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📓 Journaling Prompt

✍️ What area of your life feels “dead” or beyond hope right now?
Write a prayer surrendering that area to Jesus and invite Him to speak life into it.

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💬 Reflection Question

What is one area where you need to trust God’s timing instead of your own—and what would it look like to surrender that fully today?

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“God never wastes our pain. He transforms it into purpose.” — Elisabeth Elliot

If this devotion encouraged you, share your thoughts or testimony below. Your story may be exactly what someone else needs to hear today. 💛