“So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in
the place where He was.”
“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”John 11:6, 21
If Jesus had come when they called, Lazarus wouldn’t have died.
That was the belief of both sisters—Martha said it. Mary would echo it. And we’ve said it too, haven’t we? *”Lord, if You had acted sooner…”* If You had just healed, just opened the door, just showed up a little earlier—none of this would’ve happened.
But Jesus didn’t arrive “on time.” He delayed. On purpose. Not in neglect, but in love. Not because He was late, but because He was planning something greater than they had in mind.
It looked like a failure of timing. It was actually a miracle in the making.
Jesus told His disciples, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God…” (John 11:4). He wasn’t just going to heal Lazarus. He was going to raise him. Not prevent the burial, but reverse it. And in doing so, He revealed something profound: **the delays of God are often threads in His greatest miracles**.
We think of timing as a schedule. God sees it as a symphony. Every pause is purposeful. Every silence is set. He is not slow—He is precise. What looked like abandonment to Mary and Martha was actually stage-setting for something that would not only strengthen their faith, but shake a village and point forward to Christ’s own resurrection. If you\’re waiting on God and wondering why He hasn’t moved, consider this: the delay may be a thread. Not a disruption, but part of the design. And when the miracle comes, it may not just be bigger—it may be deeper, reaching places in your heart that instant answers never could.
God is never off-beat. Never out of rhythm. And never late.
Cross-References:
- Isaiah 55:8–9 — “My thoughts are not your thoughts… My ways higher than your ways.”
- Lamentations 3:25–26 — “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him… it is good to wait silently.”
- 2 Peter 3:9 — “The Lord is not slow about His promise… but is patient…”
Questions for Reflection:
1. When has God\’s delay in your life turned out to be part of a better outcome?
2. Do you find it hard to believe that waiting can be love? Why?
3. What might God be preparing in your life right now, even if you feel forgotten?
Prayer Prompt:
Lord, I confess that when You wait, I worry. I assume something’s wrong. Help me trust that Your delays are not mistakes, but masterwork. Strengthen my faith in the waiting, and prepare me to recognize the miracle when it comes.
This devotional is excerpted from Threads of the Miraculous by D.C. Robertsson.
