When the messenger arrived, telling Jesus that Lazarus was dying, Jesus immediately pronounced that the illness would not end in death. Then He stayed where He was for two more days. John is careful to tell us that Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus because staying where He was for two more days seems like a lack of concern. The disciples thought He was staying where He was because Bethany was crawling with people looking to kill Him, but we know that Jesus stayed there until Lazarus had been dead four days so no one would doubt his death, and Jesus’ ability to defeat death. He told the disciples He had delayed “so that you may believe.” He later told Martha He had delayed so that she would “see the glory of God.”
We need to remember this delay, especially when we experience our own delays. When we don’t see the Lord answering our prayers, when we can’t see Him working, it doesn’t mean that He doesn’t love us. It doesn’t mean that He won’t answer our prayers. In fact, He probably has a better answer than the one for which we hope. But He will answer in His time, according to His plan. We have to rest in His love, not His timely granting of our requests.
When God doesn’t seem to be answering your prayers, how can you better focus on who He is and how much He loves you? Pray about your submission to His plan and His timing.