When Jesus Makes You Wait: 3 Day Devotional

Trust God in the Waiting

Scripture:
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. —John 11:1-6 (NKJV)

Reflection:
What do you do when God doesn’t show up in the way you expected? Mary and Martha sent for Jesus because they believed in His healing power. But instead of rushing to Lazarus, Jesus stayed two more days. Why? Because waiting can be a tool God uses to build our trust, not to break our spirits.

Jesus had already spoken a word of life: “This sickness will not end in death.” But things looked dead. What do you do when God’s promise and your reality don’t line up?
You trusted Him enough to call on Him—now trust Him enough to wait for Him. The delay may feel painful, but it’s filled with divine purpose. God’s glory often shows up when we run out of options.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to trust You in the in-between. Teach me to believe what You’ve said, even when I can’t see what You’re doing. Amen.