Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe? John 11:40

 

Bulan’s husband often beat her.

Bulan had decided to follow Jesus years before, but she’d stopped attending church in her anger with God. She was confused that He would allow such horrible circumstances in her life.

Bulan’s story echoes the struggles many of us face in our faith journey. Something terrible happens in our lives, and instead of clinging to God, we wander away from Him, convinced that He’s responsible for the pain and disappointment we’re facing. We may have felt that disillusionment even if we haven’t had those exact thoughts.

So where is God when our lives fall apart? And is He to blame?

There’s a story in the Bible about three close friends of Jesus–a brother named Lazarus and two sisters named Martha and Mary (John 11:1–44). One day, Lazarus became sick. Knowing that Jesus could heal people, the sisters sent for Him to come quickly. But Jesus delayed coming to them, and by the time He arrived, Lazarus was dead.

The two sisters both felt frustration and confusion over Jesus’s delay. Both said, “Lord, if only you had…” Perhaps you’ve said the exact phrase. “God, if only things had been different! Why?”

Jesus wept with his friends in their pain. But He also had a plan to show God’s glory amid tragic circumstances in our broken world. He raised Lazarus from the dead that day, demonstrating His power beyond what they had imagined.

We don’t know how God will work in our circumstances, but we do know this: His power is beyond our imagination. He cares for you. And He says the same thing to you that He said to His friends: “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”  (John 11:40)