11 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
John 11:1-16 (KJV)
When God does not do what you and I have been taught to expect him to do, that is when God gets out of line and does not act the way He ought.
Even those Jesus loves get sick.
Sometimes, the afflictions of the saints are designed for the glory of God, that He may have opportunity of showing them favour; for the sweetest mercies.
Let this reconcile us to the darkest dispensations of providence, they are all for the glory of God. This sickness, this loss, or this disappointment, is so; and if God be glorified, which is the main goal and desire of every Christian is to glorify God then we ought to be satisfied.
Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
Leviticus 10:3 (KJV)
God’s timing is frequently different than ours!
When you are being ravaged by the events of your life, it is very difficult to believe that God’s silences and delays are really evidence of His love. (Isaiah 55:8)
Illustration: Joseph
We must be honest and admit that at ground level there are times when it is very difficult to keep believing in the goodness of God.
It explains to Christians that no matter how it may appear that these unexplained delays are delays of God’s love. (Romans 8:35, 37-39)
Even when God says “no,” it is for our good.
The time of affliction is a favorable period to try ourselves to ascertain whether we have faith. If we still have confidence in God, if we look to him for comfort in such seasons, it is good evidence that we are His friends. He that loves God when he takes away his comforts, has the best evidence possible of true attachment to Him.
The afflictions of the saints are designed for the glory of God – that He may have the opportunity of showing them a favor for the sweetest mercies. cometh unto the Father, but by me.