God’s Timing Is Always Right

God's Timing is Always Right

Text: John 11:11-15, 39-44 / Matthew 26:47-50

John 11:11
11These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
John 11:12
12Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
John 11:13
13Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
John 11:14
14Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
John 11:15
15And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

John 11:39
39Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
John 11:40
40Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
John 11:41
41Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
John 11:42
42And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
John 11:43
43And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
John 11:44
44And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Matthew 26:47
47And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Matthew 26:48
48Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
Matthew 26:49
49And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
Matthew 26:50
50And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

 

HANG IN THERE
Two frogs fell into a deep cream bowl,
One was an optimistic soul
But the other took the gloomy view,
"I shall drown he cried, "and so will you."
So with a last despairing cry,
He closed his eyes and said, "Good-bye."
But the other frog, with a merry grin,
Said, "I can't get out, but I won't give in!
I'll swim around till my strength is spent.
For having tried, I'll die content."
Bravely he swam until it would seem
His struggles began to churn the cream.
On the top of the butter at last he stopped
And out of the bowl he happily hopped.
What is the moral? It's easily found.
If you can't get out--keep swimming around!

--James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 394.