“Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.”

—John 11:6 (NIV)

 

⏳ When God Doesn’t Move, Don’t Assume He’s Not Working

Let’s talk about the holy frustration of waiting on God.

You pray. You fast. You believe. You even throw in some extra worship songs for good measure. But the needle doesn’t move. The door stays shut. The breakthrough doesn’t break through.

And the hardest part? You know God could do it in one second if He wanted to. That’s what messes with your head. It’s not the impossibility—it’s the delay.

Why does an all-powerful God wait?

Why, when Mary and Martha cried out, “Lord, the one You love is sick,” did Jesus stay put? Why didn’t He drop everything and rush to Bethany?

One word: purpose.

Jesus didn’t ignore them. He wasn’t careless. He was intentional.

That delay wasn’t punishment. It wasn’t neglect. It was direction. It was the divine pause button that turned a healing into a resurrection. He waited because there was more glory in the wait than there would’ve been in the rush.

God’s timing is frustrating, yes. But it’s never random.

Sometimes, His silence is setting the stage.

🚧 Delay Isn’t Denial—It’s Development

Lazarus wasn’t just sick—he died. Like, four-days-dead kind of died. That’s past the point of “maybe God will do something.” That’s the point where friends stop praying and start planning the funeral.

And yet, that’s when Jesus walks in.

You see, delay isn’t the opposite of progress. Sometimes it’s the very thing that prepares you for it.

God will allow delays to:

★ Develop your spiritual stamina
★ Teach you to walk without crutches
★ Kill your dependence on “Plan B”
★ Remind you that He is the source—not the outcome

If you’re in a season where nothing’s moving, you’re not forgotten. You’re being formed.

Joseph was in prison 13 years. Moses waited 40 years. David dodged spears before he wore a crown. Even Jesus had a 30-year waiting season before He stepped into ministry.

Apparently, waiting rooms are sacred spaces in heaven.

🗺️ Detours Are Part of Divine Direction

Ever yelled at your GPS for taking you off the main road? Only to find out later there was a crash ahead and your little annoying map voice just saved you two hours of standstill traffic?

Welcome to spiritual detours.

God sees what you don’t. He hears what you can’t. And sometimes His reroutes feel like delays—but they’re actually deliverance.

The Israelites could’ve reached the Promised Land in 11 days. Instead, it took them 40 years. Why? Because God was teaching them who He was before they reached where He was taking them.

Some of the biggest blessings come with the longest waits. Because it’s not just about getting you there—it’s about getting the right you there.

Character before crown.
Faith before favor.
Depth before destiny.

If you get there too early, you won’t have the roots to sustain it.

🕰️ When It Feels Like He’s Late, He’s Actually Right On Time

Jesus didn’t arrive at Lazarus’ house with a stethoscope. He showed up after the body was wrapped and the stone was sealed.

And what did Martha say?

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.”

Translation: “You’re late. We needed You then.”

But Jesus wasn’t late—He was right on time. Not on their timeline, but His.

God’s clock runs on glory, not urgency.

And let’s be real: We want God to show up before it hurts. But often, He shows up after—when the only explanation is Him.

No coincidence. No human credit. Just God.

So if you feel like you’re running out of time, like your Lazarus is already in the tomb, remember this: Jesus specializes in late arrivals that flip the whole story.

🎯 Stop Staring at the Clock—Start Watching for the Glory

You can waste a whole season staring at the clock, wondering why God hasn’t done it yet.

Here’s the shift: stop asking “Why is this taking so long?” and start asking “What is God doing in me while I wait?”

Lazarus wasn’t the only one in process. His sisters were being stretched. The disciples were watching. The entire community was about to witness something unforgettable.

Sometimes the delay isn’t about you. It’s about the people watching you.

★ How you wait matters.
★ How you respond in silence matters.
★ How you serve while unseen matters.

God’s delays are directional. They’re not passive. They’re productive.

And when God moves, it won’t be subtle. It’ll be so clear, so wild, so unmistakably Him that the only thing left to say will be, “Only God could’ve done this.”

📌 What If the Wait Is Preparing You for a Bigger Yes?

Imagine this: what if God said yes too early?

You would’ve gotten a smaller job, a rushed relationship, a premature promotion—something that felt right but couldn’t hold the weight of your purpose.

God’s no now might be protection. His not-yet might be grace.

Lazarus didn’t need to avoid death. He needed to come through it—so the people could see a God who doesn’t just heal sickness, but conquers the grave.

That’s the power in delay. It creates space for something greater than what you prayed for.

📖 Mirror Moment: When the Clock Ticks and God Stays Silent

This is where it gets real.

Don’t just read this—live this. Take five minutes and answer these questions with honesty:

★ Where in my life does it feel like God is running late?
★ What has that delay revealed about my trust in Him?
★ Have I been fixating more on the timeline than the testimony?
★ What could God be developing in me right now—character, faith, patience?
★ How can I lead others well in the waiting, not just after the breakthrough?

You don’t need fast results to be a faithful leader. You just need to trust the God who sees the whole road—when you only see the next step.