P.S. It's Gonna Be Good - How God's Word Answers Our Questions About Faith, Fear and All the ThingsSýnishorn

What About When The Worst-Case Happens?

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).

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 He 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, today we’re able to hold the book of John in our hands and know exactly where He was.

Swing over to Jesus’s 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). For those who hang on and wait expectantly, someday we will see His glory and good purposes prevail too.

Fast-forward to when Jesus finally did come to town, and He not only wept with Martha—but as both our sympathetic High Priest (Hebrews 4:15) and our sovereign God, He marched over to the tomb and gave the order, “Roll the stone aside” (John 11:39). In the sight of many witnesses, Lazarus indeed walked out (John 11:44).

In the same respect, know that while Jesus most certainly weeps with you, He still has a plan. Just as He knew full well what He was going to do for Lazarus, He knows exactly what He’s going to do with your situation. In the meantime, as you face the tomb of the worst-case scenario actually happening before your very eyes, cling to Jesus’ words: “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” (John 11:40).

Since God never forsakes His own, we will see the same truth prevail in our lives. Our good God will display His glory as He someday redeems every lost thing. When that day comes, we too will understand why and celebrate how He never disappointed us.