When God Seems Late

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
(John 11:11)

Few things stretch our faith more than waiting on God. Mary and Martha believed Jesus could heal Lazarus, yet instead of arriving immediately, Jesus waited. To them, His delay felt confusing and painful. And often, it’s in the waiting that fear, disappointment, and unanswered questions grow the strongest. But God’s delay is never the same as God’s absence. His timing operates from an eternal perspective, and while we see only the moment in front of us, He sees the greater purpose unfolding beyond what we can understand.

When Jesus finally spoke to His disciples about Lazarus, He said something remarkable: “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.” Jesus viewed death differently because He held authority over it. To Him, death wasn’t final. Jesus wasn’t intimidated by the tomb, the mourner’s tears, or the sense of finality surrounding that moment. While others saw the end of the story, Jesus already knew resurrection was coming.

Maybe today you’re waiting for God to move and wondering why He seems delayed. Remember this: God is never absent in your waiting. His plans are still unfolding even when you can’t see them. The same Jesus who called Lazarus out of the grave still speaks life into hopeless situations today. What feels final to you is never final to Him. Your waiting room may actually be the setting for God’s greater glory to be revealed.

Bold Step Challenge:
Instead of questioning God’s timing this week, surrender your timeline to Him. Trust that even in the delay, He is working for a greater purpose than you can currently understand.

Prayer:
Lord, help me trust You when Your timing does not make sense to me. Strengthen my faith in seasons of waiting and remind me that You are always working, even when I cannot see it. Teach me to walk confidently in Your will and rest in the truth that Your presence overcomes fear, despair, and even death itself. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Listen to the sermon: Living with Eternity in Mind

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