GOD’S GAPS
John 11:1-6
John 11:3-4,6: “So the sisters [Mary and Martha] sent word to Jesus, ‘Lord, the one You love is sick.’
“When He heard this, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.’
“Yet when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days.”
The New Year began with a four devotion series showing how beloved are God’s kids. So, why is God sometimes silent? The opening Scripture adds depth to gap-reasoning. Jesus purpose to arrive late wasn’t to be hailed as the hero.
He could just as easily have gone straight to them, and healed Lazarus. Why the delay, then? Humans wonder why the delay when God is silent. We’re commanded to pray. Why does God sometimes delay in answering our prayers?
What fills in God’s gaps?
Prayer and trust fills in God’s gaps.
We understand that prayer is building a relationship with God. God is not a genie in the bottle we rub and get immediate delight. He won’t be treated as such.
Jesus taught us to pray to our Father, hallowing His name. His kingdom come, and His will be done. It’s all about God first, before asking for daily bread, forgiveness and protection. Let’s allow holy God to be God—before stomping our feet and demanding attention to our problems.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:8: “But don’t be like them, [babbling pagans] for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Your needs, even the smallest detail of your life, is His concern. Sometimes He needs to prepare us to receive His answers.
Rough edges need smoothing. Relationships need restoring. Faith needs testing. God’s gaps build trust and grab our attention. Jesus wanted that attention. His delay tested faith. Martha affirmed hers in John 11:25-27 after Jesus said, “He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies,” he asked Martha, ‘Do you believe this?’”
“‘Yes Lord,’ she told Him. ‘I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.’” Jesus rewarded her trust by raising Lazarus from the dead!
Certainly, anyone living in rebellion may not receive rewards from a holy God.
Did I hear you sigh?
Take Home Nugget
God’s silence won’t last forever. We can fill His gaps with repentance, growing our trust and faith. Let’s keep in mind: Anything other than God’s plan carried out God’s way in God’s timing results in human self-reliance. Racing ahead of God is not the correct way to fill His gaps.
Your silence is deafening, O Lord! Help me grow. Speak to me through Your Spirit and Your Word.
J.D. Griffith
Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.
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