Where Are You God?

Changing my perspective when I don’t see God changing my circumstance

• When it seems like God is late, it’s not because he doesn’t love you.

John 11:3 (NIV) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

John 11:5 (NIV) Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

• When it seems like God is late, it doesn’t necessarily mean no.

John 11:4 (NIV) When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

• When it seems like God is late, it’s never by accident.

John 11:6-7 (NIV) So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

Psalm 28:14 (NLT) Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

• When it seems like God is late, remember he always shows up.

John 11:11-15 (NIV) “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Final Thought:

• If God always met your expectations, He’d never have the opportunity to exceed them.

John 11:38-44 (NIV) Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Talk It Over

What’s something you’re currently waiting for God to do for you? What might He be doing in you?

Why do you think God’s timing is different from ours? What could be so different about our perspective?

Do you think you’d be more like Mary who stayed home when Jesus was late or Martha who ran out to meet him and tell him He was late? Why?

Have you experienced a situation when God was late that still doesn’t make sense? What’s it like to go through that?

Share a story of a time God exceeded your expectations. How can you hold on to this as a promise of His faithfulness?

Read Luke 18:1-8 and be encouraged to be persistent in going to God in prayer even when you think He’s late or doubt if He will show up.

Prayer: Jesus, forgive us for the times we reject You and doubt You because of Your timing. Will You give us strength to trust You when You’re not on our schedule, or when our outcomes really hurt? Thank You for Your grace given to us. Amen

Parents: Read John 11:14-15 together. Why didn’t Jesus come before Lazarus died? Jesus didn’t go right away when Lazarus’s sisters sent for him. When Jesus got there his friend was already dead. But Jesus brought Lazarus back to life. Jesus did this to show that he is stronger than death.