Help Is On The Way - Hope in Worst-Case Scenarios

“Jesus responded, ‘Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?’” (John 11:40, NLT)

You prayed.

You had faith God could do it.

You waited for him to show up, but…

Nothing happened.

Things only got worse.

He didn’t come in time (and maybe, he still hasn’t).

And since we know God could’ve done something because he can do anything, we’re left wondering…well, why didn’t he?

Martha gets us. When her brother was sick, she sent for Jesus, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick” (John 11:3), but then…hours dragged by with no word back. She was so confident Jesus would show up…but he didn’t. And when Lazarus took his last breath and Martha watched her brother go still, her heart sank.

What happened?

Why didn’t he come?

What do I do now?

How am I supposed to rebound from this?

As Martha’s drumming her fingers, unable to see Jesus when she needed him most, we’re privy today to hold the book of John in our hands and know exactly where He was.

Swing over to Jesus’ POV, and we see He stayed back for a couple days longer on purpose, explaining to His disciples: “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this” (John 11:4).

This means that even when we’re looking around at the circumstances of our lives and it appears that God is nowhere to be found in our darkest hour, we can keep waiting expectantly like Martha. Since Jesus considers us his friends and he watches over every detail of our lives too (Psalm 121:7)—if he still has yet to make a visible appearance—we can trust he has his reasons…and because he’s only good, they can only be good.

Fast-forward to when Jesus finally does come to town, and we see he weeps with Martha. The same goes for you. Jesus sees you crying, soaking your pillow with tears, heartbroken over your cold marriage or wayward child. He sees you bawling over your finances, an abandoned friendship, or hard diagnosis—and he doesn’t take it lightly either. He isn’t calloused to your grief, annoyed by your breakdown, or indifferent to your disappointment. No, God cares and wishes sin, death, and brokenness weren’t part of the picture either—for that’s exactly why he sent his Son to conquer it, with sure plans to abolish it forevermore.

But even amidst the tears, Jesus still knew full well what He was going to do for Lazarus—and he knows exactly what He’s going to do with your situation too. As both our sympathetic High Priest and our sovereign God, watch on as he marches over to the tomb and gives the order, “Roll the stone aside” (John 11:39). Before many eyewitnesses, the unthinkable happens. A dead man indeed walks out.

As you now stand facing the grave of the worst-case scenario actually happening before your very eyes, don’t forget the One who is standing right next to you. He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25), and for those who believe, we too will see the glory of God prevail.

Until you get there, in the meantime, wait expectantly for Jesus to come to town. He may have stayed put a couple days, but his plans haven’t changed…he’s on the way.

Prayer: God, thank you that, no matter what I face, I can cling to your promises knowing they will always prevail. Because of your Son’s victory and the truth of Romans 8:28, I know that it’s not only going to be okay, but in the end…it’s gonna be good. I can’t wait to see that day. In Jesus’ name, I pray—amen.