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"And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him." - John 11:15
When someone came to Jesus and told him that his beloved Lazarus was sick, Jesus stayed around in the Jordan river area for two more days before he went to Bethany to see Lazarus. His disciples wanted to stop Him, because Bethany is so close to Jerusalem, and the Jews there sought to kill him. However,Jesus told them that Lazarus was in fact dead already. Then Jesus said, "And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him."
It was an intentional delay, so that Lazarus could go to sleep. However this was also for the benefit of his disciples, and for all the people that believe in Him. Jesus was not slighting the death of any precious souls, Psalms 116:15 says, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." But this time, Jesus allowed the family members - Martha and Mary, and his friends to go through grievance and sorrow, so that everyone would receive something much more precious in return, which was the increase of their faith.
Sometimes it appears that Jesus is not there for us, that God does not understand pain and sorrow and he has turned his face away from us. However God has a different time frame, and "to the intent that ye may believe" is His purpose. Not granting us our requests is not because of His negligence, Jesus may intentionally delay so that we can believe him more in the future. God has his own schedule, and He has the omniscience to know what is the best for his saints.
I am very glad that God does not answer some of my requests, Ex 14:13 says, "Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day". To stand still in many times is the best training in faith.
