John 11: For His Glory

 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.-John 11:5 NIV

Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus, yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he did not immediately answer the call to heal him.  Did that make Mary or Martha think that Jesus no longer loved them?  Is that sometimes what we think when we don't get an immediate answer to our prayers?  Do we think that God no longer loves us.  If he loved us he would answer us in the way we want our answers?  Jesus' response is the same today as it was in Lazarus' time.

Then Jesus said,  "Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?"  So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here that they may believe that you sent me." - John 11:40-42 NIV

With our limited view, we are inclined to believe that it is all about us, that our needs are paramount.  But, God says it is more important that people believe, that people believe that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, and that he was sent by the Father.  God's responses to our requests are always centered on his overall plan that his creation would be reconciled to Him.  Whenever God delays or fails to answer, you can rest assured that it is all for His glory.