God's Glory Church

“Your brother will rise!” —John 11:23

While in a small West African town, my American pastor arrived on time for the 10 a.m. Sunday service. However, there was no one in the church hall. He decided to wait. One hour. Two. Finally, around half past one in the morning, the local pastor arrived at the church, followed by choristers and other townspeople, and the service began “in the fullness of time,” as my pastor put it. “The Spirit greeted us, and God was not late.” The local culture was different from my pastor’s American culture.

Time seems relative, but God is perfect and never late. Lazarus fell ill and died, but Jesus arrived only four days after his death. Lazarus’ sisters did not understand why He did this. “And Martha said to Jesus: “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). We may feel the same way, wondering why God is taking so long to solve our problems. Instead, it is better to wait with faith for His answers and the manifestation of His power.

Theologian Howard Thurman wrote, “We wait, Father, for a part of Your strength to become our strength, for a part of Your heart to become our heart, for a part of Your forgiveness to become our forgiveness. We wait, God, we wait.” And then, when God answers, we, like Lazarus, will miraculously receive the blessing of what was not really a delay.

What action or provision do you expect from God right now? How to expect with faith?

Father, I am waiting for You. Give me Your strength and faithful hope in my waiting.

Author: Patricia Raybon