Do you ever feel like God didn’t show up? Have you ever thought, “I feel like God could have interceded in this situation in my life and it’s like He wasn’t even here?” Well, maybe He wasn’t. But that doesn’t mean He’s not coming.

The same verse always jumps out at me when I read the story of Lazarus in the Gospel of John. That being true, that verse still has incredible impact and is a great reminder every time I read it that God’s plans rarely match what I think He should do. In John 11:15, after reporting that Lazarus was dead, Jesus makes a startling statement; “I’m glad I wasn’t there.” What!? Really!?

Here are a couple of immediate truths I find in this passage:

1.  Jesus does not take joy in your pain. If He doesn’t show up in a particular situation, it doesn’t mean He’s not coming.

Jesus may seem to be late according to our calendar but He’s always on time according to His.

1. Jesus ultimately wants to give you even more evidence that you can trust Him.

If Jesus leaves you in an unpleasant life situation, it may very well be that He’s planning something even bigger in your life than what you’re asking for.

Those who witnessed Jesus’ interaction with Martha and Mary and witnessed Jesus’ heavy heart over the death of His friend asked a great question, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” Yes He could. But, Jesus didn’t show the day Lazarus died so all who were present could watch Him do something even greater; raise the dead.

“Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?’” (John 11:40, ESV)

So, if you feel that He hasn’t shown up in your life during a particular trial, just know, it’s in His nature to wait so He might show you something greater about what He can do.