Waiting For The Faith

Sunday, February 01, 2009


So, when He (Jesus) heard that he (Lazarus) was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. John 11:6

Jesus loved Lazarus, who was the brother of Mary and Martha in the town of Bethany . Lazarus became ill that caused enough concern for his sisters. When they saw that he was sick, they immediately sent word to Jesus Christ to inform that Lazarus was sick. It would be natural to think that Jesus would immediately rush to comfort the family by healing Lazarus. After all, Jesus was the son of God, He was the healer and He was the deliverer. Mary and Martha believed in Him. He had healed the blind and the leprous. He had raised the palsy from their sick beds and He had delivered the demon possessed. It was absolutely within His power to heal Lazarus. But, Jesus did not rush the town of Bethany to deliver Lazarus. Instead He stayed where He was for two more days, appearing to waste the precious time when his friend Lazarus was sick and getting worse! Jesus was omniscient. Did He not know that He was wasting precious time? Did He not know that Lazarus was in death bed? Did He not realize the plight of the sisters, Mary and Martha? Did He not care? But Jesus had a purpose for waiting two more days. Isaiah 30:18 says, “Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.” Yes, Jesus was waiting for the right time to bring the blessing of healing to Lazarus. He was waiting for something to happen.

Jesus was waiting for the time to strengthen the faith of His disciples using this as an occasion. After two days, Jesus told His disciples that they should go to Galilee . When the disciples were not sure why they should go. Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe.” (John 11:14-15). Jesus knew what the right time was for delivering Lazarus. When he came into Galilee , Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus’ reply to her was plainly, “Your brother will rise again.” They came to the tomb where Lazarus was kept. Jesus wept. Some people around them said, of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” Then Jesus said, “Take away the stone”, referring to the large stone that was kept at the entrance of the tomb to keep it sealed. But Martha protested saying, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus reminded her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40). When they removed the stone, Jesus called out, “Lazarus, come forth!” Hallelujah to the Lord, the man who was dead for four days walked out of the tomb still bound by grave clothes. He was alive, glory to God. When the time of faith had come, there was a miracle of an answered prayer.

Perhaps you are waiting on the Lord for something in your life and you have not received it yet. It is not that God is not hearing your prayer or that He does not want to bless you. But He is waiting so you will come to a place of solid faith on Him so that He could release that blessing in your life. Check your attitude and your thoughts and come to a place of unwavering faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. A man once brought his son who was demon possessed to Jesus Christ, asking Him for deliverance. Jesus asked, “Do you believe that I can do this?” The man with tears responded, “I believe Lord. Please help me out of my unbelief.” Pray such a prayer confessing your lack of faith at times asking Jesus to fill your heart with divine faith to receive the blessings God has in store for you.

Abraham believed in the Lord enough that he was willing to act on his faith. When the Lord God almighty asked Abraham to sacrifice his only beloved son Isaac, he did not hesitate because He had an unshakable faith on the Lord. The Lord stopped him from sacrificing Isaac as Isaac lay on the altar and Abraham was blessed to see Jehovah Jireh, the provider God. Noah believed in the Lord that he was willing to act on his faith. He set out to build a huge ark in the middle of a dry land enduring perhaps the jeers and mocking of the people of the land. He was rewarded for his faith when the flood came upon the earth, destroying every living thing, Hallelujah! A woman who was sick for twelve years, acted on her faith and came behind Jesus in a thronging crowd and reached out to touch the helm of His garment and she was instantaneously healed. Today is when you need to start reaching out in faith. Rise up out of your discouragement and out of your depression, looking to the Lord Jesus Christ, reaching out and touching the helm of His garment. That is the time the Lord has been waiting for so He could bless you!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you today for your grace and mercy. Forgive me of my unbelief and help me to come into a place of faith today. I believe you are the almighty God and that nothing is impossible with you. As I reach out today with that faith, O Lord I pray that the Lord would perfect my faith and send your deliverance into my life. In the name of my Lord and your Son Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.