Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it. John 11:1-4
God is glorified when His character and superintending purposes are revealed to mankind. Even in the death of a beloved friend, Jesus was glorified. When we see and understand more about who God is, we ourselves are transformed by that wonderful gaze into our maker, our model, and example in all things – Jesus! That’s what was happening in this situation. Martha, Mary, and even the crowd asked ‘If you had been here’… couldn’t Jesus prevent Lazarus from dying? The answer is yes, of course. But, God was glorified in His sovereign decision to allow death.
What have I come to know about God? Can I see Him glorified even when life’s situations don’t go my way?
God, this is the real goal of my life, not to have it my way, but to know You more. Thank you for revealing Yourself day by day. As we begin this day, I praise You for my family, the early devotion time with my boys and the day ahead to be spent with my wife. May we see You in all situations.
