John 11:4 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.

I think we all know the story of Lazarus, but I’ll give a quick recap. Lazarus was a friend of Jesus, a man Jesus loved deeply that became sick. Word was sent to Jesus about Lazarus’ sickness, but Jesus waited two days before leaving to see him. When Jesus arrived, everyone was weeping because Lazarus had died, but Jesus wept because no one understood what he had said two days prior. This sickness is not unto death. Jesus made that clear from the start, but here they all were, mourning Lazarus. Lazarus was dead and the belief was a person wasn’t really dead until three days after because it was believed their spirit hung around, but after three days there was no hope. John 11:17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he (Lazarus) had lain in the grave four days already.

Jesus waited two days. TWO DAYS. I don’t know how long the trip took, but by the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been in the grave four days. Jesus waited two days. I have to be honest and say Martha and Mary responded much better than I would have. If either of my brothers died and I found out Jesus waited two days before starting the journey to see them, I would lose all rationale. I would scream, TWO DAYS? You waited TWO DAYS?! You said you loved him Lord, but how could you not come sooner? How could you let him die? Mary and Martha knew the healing capability Jesus had. I would imagine they had expected Jesus to come and perform healing on Lazarus. I would.

Here is the truth. Two days makes no difference to Jesus. John 11:4 This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Jesus proclaimed Lazarus’ survival. There was no question in Jesus’ mind that Lazarus would come back from this sickness.

Last week I was the sickest I’ve ever been physically. I was weak, shaky, dizzy, cloudy, coughing until I vomited and blowing my nose until my vision filled with balls of light. I am still not 100% yet and it makes me angry. I want to be back to myself, to be fully functional, but today God made a few things clear to me. Since I saw the Physician’s Assistant on Friday and she gave me no antibiotics to fight the severe sinus infection I had, I’ve been angry, complaining and not allowing myself to feel better. I’ve been making myself sicker, but complaining. I was laying down today after work, trying to rest myself up and John 11:4 came to me. My sickness is not unto death so why am I acting like it? I need to proclaim, I am getting better. Every moment of every day, God is bringing me closer to full restoration. I have to stop being angry the P.A. didn’t give me medication and be thankful God used her to show me I could get through my illness without putting drugs in my body. I have to believe God knew what was best when He led that P.A. in the medical advice she gave me. Because that’s the truth. God knows everything. God knew she wouldn’t give me medication. God knew Lazarus was going to die. Yet, Jesus still proclaimed this sickness is not unto death. God knows, I don’t. I have learned today that instead of saying I’m not getting better or I’m getting better slowly, I need to say, but for the glory of God.

In Lazarus’ situation, Jesus showed the power of the resurrection. That nothing was impossible for God or God’s son. In my situation, God taught me multiple lessons. The first was learning to let someone else take care of me. My boyfriend stayed right at my side making sure my grandmother didn’t have any extra stress because of my sickness and making sure I drank water and attempted eating. I’ve never been taken care of like that. Not by anyone, but God. I’ve never let anyone help me. The second lesson was accepting God knows best no matter who it comes from. This time it came from the mouth of a P.A. Next time it could come from my pastor or boss. God knew I didn’t need antibiotics to get better. That a natural course was best. The third lesson is to proclaim this sickness is not unto death (even if it is), but for the glory of God. Romans 8:28 God uses all things in our lives for His glory and to grow us up in our faith.

No matter what sickness you battle, no matter what the fight looks like God promises you this. John 11:4 This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Your sickness is for the GLORY of God. Your sickness works together for GOOD to them that love God. Your sickness does not change the EXPECTED END God has for you. TWO DAYS means nothing. PROCLAIM GOD’S PROMISES.

Belinda
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John 11:4 This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God. Two Days Later.
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