February 3

“The Provision of God in Unanswered Prayer”

John 11:1-45

Three elderly retirees each having a hearing loss, walked every morning together.  They were walking one fine April morning and one remarked, “Windy! Isn’t it?”  “No” replied the second man, “it’s Thursday.”  The third man chimed in and said, “So am I. Let’s have a coke.”  I believe at times we tend to think God has the hearing problem when it turns out that we are the ones with the hearing problem in prayer.  If you want to hear from God keep your heart uncluttered  (Heb 3: 7 & 8). 

Actually, there is no such thing as unanswered prayer!  God always with out exception answers our prayers in one of three ways: yes, no, or wait!  The last one is the most difficult.

In regards to delays we must understand it is not equivalent to being denied. 

Consider the burden and desire of Lazarus’ two sisters, Mary and Martha.  There is no problem with their devotion, no problem with their desire – Mary anointed Jesus feet with oil and wiped it with her hair and Martha showed great hospitality in their home.  They also sent word to Jesus about their brother’s sickness so Lazarus would be healed by Jesus. (VV 1 – 3) (Mk. 11:24; PS. 37:4; JN 5:6)  For prayer to be powerful and productive you must possess some desire and determination regarding the request.   There is no problem with their faith or expectation (V3).  In verse 21 “ Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died.” V27 “I believe you are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.”

Many, Many times there are divine and designed delays in answering our prayers for a purpose. 

Jesus Delays Answering Prayer for Lazarus to Provide Increased Faith (JN 11:14 & 15)  Jesus allowed Lazarus to die so he could raise him, resurrect him from the dead for they would need to possess faith in His ability and authority over death for soon they would witness Jesus crucifixion and death. 

It is encouraging to understand faith can grow and be increased. (2 thess. 1:3; Rom. 10:17; Jn. 17:5; Heb. 11:6;  Lk. 18:8)  

Jesus Delays Answering Prayer for Lazarus to Provide Increased Truth in Their Hearts. ( VV 22 – 27)  The word John uses for miracle in His gospel is exclusive to his gospel and it is “simione” meaning, “to provide a sign, to hold high a placard.”  John is saying all 8 of the miracles, 6 exclusive to John, was a sign and placard declaring the truth that Jesus is God!  When Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life” He is employing the name “I Am” Elohim used for God.  (Jn 8:32 & 36; 3 Jn. 4)

Jesus Delays Answering Prayer for Lazarus to Provide an Expanded Witness.  (V 45; 12:9 & 11) Jesus provided and opened a new door of opportunity for Mary, Martha, and Lazarus to witness and share Him with others.  Note: When their faith and knowledge of truth increased their witness expanded!  Our responsibility is to deepen our relationship and it is God’s responsibility to expand and enlarge our ministry and message. 

Jesus Delays Answering Prayer for Lazarus to Exhibit His Glory. (V4)  “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified.”

The. N.T. Greek word for “glorified” is (doxazo) meaning, “to acknowledge, exalt, extol, praise, and to honor.” 

Consistently throughout the Scriptures God works in this fashion: He gives a vision or a dream, and then there is the death of that vision or dream, and then the resurrection of the vision or the dream.  We see it in the life of Noah,  Moses, Joseph, Daniel, etc…  God is performing some of His greatest and most powerful works in us when He delays answering our prayers.