Break Through the Clouds

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
(John 11:21–25)

Have you ever had to ask someone, “Where were you?” Maybe you’ve even asked God that question. You’ve prayed, waited, and believed, but nothing seems to change. Mary and Martha knew that feeling. When their brother Lazarus became sick, they sent word to Jesus, yet He waited two more days before coming. By the time He arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Mary fell at Jesus’ feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” In other words, Jesus, where were You when we needed You?

But delayed intervention does not mean God is uninvolved. Jesus knew exactly what was happening with Lazarus, and He knew what He was going to do. His timing simply didn’t match theirs. That’s difficult for us because we see the pain of the present moment, while God sees the entire story. Sometimes He allows the situation to go beyond what we think is fixable so that we can discover just how powerful He really is. If Jesus had simply arrived earlier and healed Lazarus, we might never have witnessed the incredible miracle that followed. What looked like Jesus arriving too late was actually Jesus arriving at exactly the right time.

And here’s what I love most about this story: Even though Jesus knew the ending, He still wept. God’s sovereignty does not make Him distant from your suffering. He knows the miracle that may be ahead, but He also feels the pain you’re experiencing right now. Your setback does not mean He has abandoned you, and His silence doesn’t mean He is absent. Maybe today you’re asking, “God, where are You?” Keep trusting Him. He may postpone the miracle, but He will never leave you to walk through the pain alone.

Bold Step Challenge:
Identify the situation where God seems late right now. Instead of assuming He is absent, choose to trust that He is working behind the scenes. Tell Him today, “Lord, I don’t understand Your timing, but I trust Your presence.”

Prayer:
Father, when I don’t understand Your timing, help me trust Your heart. Remind me that You see what I cannot see and that You are working even when nothing seems to be changing. Thank You for being a God who not only holds my future but also walks with me through my pain. Give me faith to trust You until Your purpose becomes clear. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Listen to the sermon: Breaking Through the Gloom

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