Thursday 18 June 2020

Trusting a Loving God When Waiting is Painful


I’ve often wondered what she thought when help didn’t come.

Not so much what she was feeling, in some way, I could imagine what she might have been feeling. Having also lost a brother, I know the searing pain of loss, the grief that weighs you down and threatens to take your breath.

But what was she thinking? When the only One who could help her, who could save her brother chose not to come, what thoughts flittered through her mind?

Here on the other side of history, we know how it all worked out. We know that Jesus showed up four days 'late', wept with the bereaved sisters, and then miraculously raised Lazarus from the dead. It was a bold, ‘remove-all-doubt’, type of move that led many to believe in His name.

But there in the middle of her sorrow, did she (Martha) begin to doubt His love? Did she question His motives? Did she plant seedling resentment in her heart? Did her faith waver?

Who would blame her if it did?

What about you? Are you stuck in the messy middle wondering about the motives of God? Trying to understand why He doesn’t show up? Refereeing the struggle between your heart and your head? Fighting to believe beyond the shadow of a doubt that God knows best?

Well, if that is you, if you’ve ever been there or know someone who has, I’m inviting you to walk with me as we take a closer look at Jesus’s motives and Martha’s resolve in the events surrounding the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.’ ~ John 11:5-6 ESV(emphasis mine)

Did you get that? Jesus chose not to go when he was called because of his love for them. Do you struggle to accept that? He knew the pain they would experience, yet he chose to stay where He was. You see, Jesus knew the life-changing, life-affirming impact His planned deliverance would have, so He loved them enough to hold out for them (and the witnesses) to experience this better thing.

And what is this better thing?

Let’s look at Jesus’s words-

“This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” ~ John 11: 4b ~

“Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” ~ John 11: 14-15 ~

That you may believe in the Son of God.

In the verses following, the word ‘believe’ is used six times. It is that important. To believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent by God is the only thing. It changes everything.

That we may believe in His name was important to Jesus then and it is just as important to Him now. He knows that this is the only way for us to ‘have life and have it abundantly.’ (John 10:10)


Oh, I pray for faith like Martha’s. She knew who Jesus was and she believed that nothing was impossible for him. Even through tears, even surrounded by the stench of death, she knew her God. She knew that both immediate deliverance and eternal deliverance were within His power and she trusted Him to know which was best. Inspiringly, despite her painful circumstances, she remained confident of His love.

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

She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” ~ John 11:27 ~ (emphasis mine)

What do you believe? Right here, in the midst of all the uncertainty, what do you know for certain? Is your head telling you one thing and your heart another? Do you run to meet Jesus expecting a miracle? Or have you given up in believing that miracles are possible?

My friend, I know 2020 has been crazy. Life for many of us has been turned upside down and we may feel confused, overwhelmed, afraid, or in the very least, unsettled. Like Martha, we may be wondering where God is in the chaos. But please remember this, He is never late; He knows the pain and/or confusion we may be experiencing yet because of His great love for us, He is choosing the better thing.

‘And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.’ ~ Romans 8:28 ~

We can trust His heart. He will deliver us. In His way. In His timing. Miracles are still possible. And through it all, God will be glorified. May we have faith strong enough to believe that.

Won’t you pray with me?


Dear Loving Father,

I am amazed at you and your great love for us. Thank you for the hope and peace found in your word. Thank you for loving us enough to take us through the painful wait to the glory on the other side. Help us to believe in your goodness, to trust in your loving heart, and to run to you in great expectation of your power.

In Jesus's Name we pray. Amen.  

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You can read the incredible account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in John 11:1-44.

Grace and peace to you,
Carlie





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24 comments:

  1. Such a perfect time to remind us of the powerful story of Jesus raising Lazarus. Yes, God will work, in His time, for the good of all who believe in Him.
    Blessings, Carlie!

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    1. Thank you, Martha, now more than ever I'm finding hope in remembering Christ's resurrecting power. Blessings, my friend!

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  2. It has been some years ago now but I heard "My Name is Lazarus" performed by Greater Vision live. What a wonderful song to accompany this story. Scripture tells us plainly that God's ways are not our ways. Yet, we can trust that His ways are far, far better than ours. If we could always understand God, well, He wouldn't be much of a god then would He?

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    1. That's the truth, we can know Him but we can not fully understand Him, after all, He is God. Thanks for sharing the song, Nann. It is a wonderful reminder of the power of testimony when we experience Jesus's power in our lives. So nice to have you visit today.

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  3. So true! "Because of His great love for us, He is choosing the better thing." May we always remember that!

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    1. It's a reminder I need often, Jerralea. Thanks for visiting today.

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  4. Carlie - The story of Lazarus is one of my favorite ones in the Bible for many many reasons. I love your perspective! I am in a long waiting for healing for a loved one. I do trust God but there are days when I falter and want Him to move now. However, I remind myself I have already put my trust in Him and His plan is what I want. Thank you for sharing with Grace & Truth Link-Up.

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    1. I can relate, Maree; I also falter and sometimes doubt God's plan when the wait seems long, but then I remember that He is a good Father who knows what is best and is motivated by love.

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  5. A wonderful reminder that He sees our pain and allows it to be for a blessing that is greater than the pain! Hugs

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    1. Thanks, Lynda! So grateful that He sees it all and knows it all.

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  6. I love looking at this story from Martha's perspective. Oh, to have more faith!

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    1. Yes, I'm so amazed at how Scripture comes alive. There is always something to meet me at my point of need. Thanks for visiting, Lisa!

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  7. This is so good! Yes, more faith!!!

    Thank you for the prayer and thank you for sharing! God bless you! :-)

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    1. Thank you, Tai! I'm so glad you were encouraged.

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  8. I love this story of Martha where she is shown to be a woman of great faith - thank you for the reminder.

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    1. She definitely knew her God and believed in His power. Thanks for visiting today, Sharon!

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  9. This one really hit me as I go through chemo for cancer. I feel like I'm always waiting - on results, on side effects, on procedures. God is there in the waiting and His timing is not ours. Thank you!

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    1. Praying for you, Susan, as you endure this painful period of waiting. May you find comfort and strength in the God who never leaves us.

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  10. Carlie, I would love to say that frequent practice has made me an accomplished waiter, but I am afraid that I still struggle with this aspect of my spiritual life. Thank you for this insight to Martha's heart.

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    1. I'm right there with you, Michele. I'm so grateful for God's patient, loving heart. Blessings my friend.

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  11. Yes, we can trust Him! I enjoyed looking at this very familiar story...in context of all that is currently happening. Thanks!

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    1. Thanks, Jennifer! Isn't it amazing how God's word comes alive to meet us in our circumstances?

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  12. This is a message that someone I love needs desperately right now. Sending it his way. Visiting you from the tune in thurs link up. laurensparks.net

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    1. Praying for your loved one, Lauren! Thanks for sharing hope.

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