“’My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the Lord. ‘And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.’” Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)
God’s ways are not our ways, and we totally get that! But when He doesn’t do something the way we had expected or in the timing we had hoped, we tend to get offended. In John 11 we find Lazarus, a good friend of Jesus, was very sick. When Jesus received a message to come, instead of coming Jesus stayed on a few more days. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days. He was like really dead. So dead that Martha said “by this time he stinketh” (John 11:39 – KJV). Of course, that didn’t matter to Jesus. In fact, Jesus had said this was for God’s glory. And we all know the story… Jesus called him out of the tomb and Lazarus rose from the dead! To God’s glory!
God often will offend our minds to reveal our hearts. By that I mean, He will do things that expose where we lack faith. He has a way of not doing things our way, or not operating according to our understanding. He is not limited to fulfilling prophecies the way we expect it, or when we expect it. Obviously, I am talking about what we are walking through right now. This year, let alone this week, is not what we were expecting. Some people are very disappointed with God and/or His prophets. They have prayed, fasted, trusted God and believed in His prophets (2 Chronicles 20:20), and yet it appears God has not come through. Let me just say, God is not done, nor is He late! And He will receive the glory!
Please pray that God would show you the expectations you have had for Him to do something a certain way (i.e. places you are disappointed), and when He does confess it to Him. God is revealing hearts right now, ask Him to reveal yours, and others across our city. Ask Him for a grace of faith to believe that Lazarus can be raised from the dead, even after of four days in the tomb! Ask God to release a new level of outrageous faith for Him to faithfully do awesome things to display His glory (Psalm 65:5 – NLT). Thank Him for what He is about to do!
