And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
John 11:43-45
‘Where are You, Lord?’ we cry. ‘I sent a message to You in prayer. I’ve cried out to You in sincerity. But You’re not working. You’re not coming. Where are You?’ This story teaches you and me that delays are determined by the Lord for His glory.
‘Lord, come and heal our brother,’ cry Mary and Martha.
‘I’m going to do something a whole lot more impacting than that,’ answers Jesus. ‘I’m going to resurrect him. But that means he has to die first.’
I have found that the longer the Lord waits to do His work in my life, oftentimes the greater blessing it is for His glory and my good. You more mature believers have sung, ‘Lord, use my life.’ But what if that means tragedy? What if it means cancer, bankruptcy, death, setback, pain? What if God can get the maximum amount of glory when a world who doesn’t believe watches you go through terrible times and sees His strength see you through? Samson’s greatest victory did not take place until he stood as a blind man in the temple of Dagon and brought the roof down upon himself (Judges 16:30).
‘Use my life, Lord,’ I pray.
But the Lord says, ‘OK. I’ll use you. I’ll show My goodness and reality as you go through horrendous difficulty — for when the roof caves in and the house comes down,
The demons will flee;
The Philistines will fall;
And I will be glorified.’
If you really want your life to be used, precious people, let the Lord do what He knows will bring Him the greatest glory. Be one who says, ‘To God be the glory — whatever that may mean in my life.’
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Note : This devotion is penned by Pastor Jon Courson.
