THE GOD WHO NEVER COMES TOO LATE

THE GOD WHO NEVER COMES TOO LATE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: John 11:21-44

Key Verse: “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” — John 11:25 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: Habakkuk 2:3; Psalm 27:13-14; Isaiah 60:22; Luke 18:7-8; Romans 4:17-21; Hebrews 10:23; 2 Peter 3:8-9.

Description: This sermon teaches that God's timing is never governed by human expectations, and even when circumstances appear hopeless, He remains able to intervene, restore and fulfil His promises.

INTRODUCTION

One of the greatest challenges of the Christian life is waiting for God when circumstances appear to be getting worse. There are moments when we pray, believe, fast and trust God, yet the answers we expect seem delayed. Sometimes, the situation becomes so desperate that we begin to wonder whether God has forgotten us. We may even ask, as Martha did, whether things would have been different if the Lord had intervened earlier.

John 11 presents the account of Lazarus, a man whom Jesus loved. When Lazarus became sick, his sisters, Martha and Mary, sent a message to Jesus. Surprisingly, Jesus did not immediately come to Bethany. By the time He arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days. To the human mind, the opportunity for a miracle had passed. Martha believed that Jesus could have prevented the death, but she struggled to understand how He could help after Lazarus had already been buried. However, Jesus demonstrated that He was not limited by the timing, expectations or conclusions of human beings.

The story of Lazarus reveals a powerful truth: God does not operate according to human clocks, and His apparent delay does not mean His absence. There are situations in which God permits the circumstances to reach a point where human ability is exhausted, so that His power may be revealed. What appears to be too late to man is never beyond God's authority. The God who raised Lazarus is still able to intervene in situations that seem impossible. Therefore, do not surrender your faith because the answer has not come when you expected it. God never comes too late.

1. GOD'S TIMING IS DIFFERENT FROM HUMAN EXPECTATIONS

One of the important lessons in the story of Lazarus is that God's timing does not always agree with human expectations. Mary and Martha expected Jesus to come quickly because they knew He loved their brother. They believed that His presence could prevent the tragedy. However, Jesus did not respond according to their timetable.

We must understand that God's timing is not controlled by human pressure, anxiety or impatience. He sees the beginning and the end at the same time. While we are concerned about what is happening now, He already knows what He intends to accomplish. His timing may be different from ours, but His wisdom is perfect.

a. God is never controlled by human deadlines (John 11:6)

The Bible says that when Jesus heard Lazarus was sick, He remained where He was for two more days. This is remarkable because the message concerned someone Jesus loved.

Jesus was not careless about Lazarus. His decision was part of a greater divine purpose. He knew what He was going to do, even when the family did not understand His actions.

Sometimes, we give God deadlines. We expect Him to answer before a particular date, provide a particular opportunity or change a situation within a specific period. When that does not happen, we become discouraged.

Do not allow an unmet deadline to destroy your confidence in God. Your responsibility is to remain faithful, obedient and prayerful while trusting His wisdom.

b. God's delay does not mean God's denial (Habakkuk 2:3)

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” — Habakkuk 2:3 (KJV)

God told Habakkuk that the vision had an appointed time. Even when its fulfilment appeared delayed, the prophet was instructed to wait for it.

There is a difference between something being delayed according to human expectation and something being denied by God. We must not interpret every waiting period as rejection.

Some promises require patience, preparation and perseverance. Do not abandon what God has spoken simply because you have not yet seen its manifestation. Continue to trust Him.

c. God sees beyond what you presently see (Isaiah 46:9-10)

God declares that He knows the end from the beginning. Human beings often make decisions based on what they can see, but God operates with complete knowledge.

Martha saw a dead brother, a closed tomb and an impossible situation. Jesus saw an opportunity to reveal the glory of God.

Your present circumstances do not represent the totality of God's plan for your life. What you see today may be only one chapter of a much greater testimony.

Do not judge God's faithfulness by your present situation. Trust the One who sees what you cannot see.

d. God's appointed time cannot be defeated by circumstances (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

The Bible teaches that God makes everything beautiful in His time. This does not mean that every event will happen according to our preferred schedule, but it assures us that God's purposes are not subject to human limitations.

There may be seasons when you feel forgotten, overlooked or left behind. However, God has not lost control of your life.

Remain faithful in your season of waiting. Do not compare your journey with that of others. God's purpose for you is not determined by another person's timetable.

Biblical Example: Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 21:1-2)

God promised Abraham a son, but the fulfilment did not happen immediately. Abraham and Sarah waited for years, and their natural circumstances made the promise appear impossible. Nevertheless, at the appointed time, God visited Sarah and fulfilled His word. Their experience teaches us that the passage of time cannot cancel a genuine promise of God.

2. GOD REMEMBERS YOU EVEN WHEN THE SITUATION APPEARS HOPELESS

When Lazarus died, his sisters were overwhelmed with grief. They had lost someone they loved, and the situation appeared irreversible. Yet the death of Lazarus did not mean that Jesus had forgotten the family.

Sometimes, difficult circumstances can make us feel abandoned. We may wonder why God has not intervened or why He has allowed a situation to continue. But God's silence should never be interpreted as forgetfulness. He knows your name, understands your pain and remains concerned about your situation.

a. You are not forgotten by God (Isaiah 49:15-16)

God used the picture of a mother and her child to communicate the certainty of His remembrance. He declared that even if a mother could forget her child, He would not forget His people.

People may forget their promises, friends may disappoint you and those you expect to help you may become unavailable. But God does not forget His children.

Even when nobody remembers your struggle, God knows what you are passing through. Continue to trust Him, because your life is not hidden from His attention.

b. God is concerned about your pain (John 11:33-35)

When Jesus saw Mary weeping and the people mourning, He was deeply moved and wept. This reveals the compassion of Christ.

Jesus knew that He was about to raise Lazarus, yet He still identified with the sorrow of the family. His power did not make Him insensitive to their pain.

God is not indifferent to your tears. He understands the burden you carry and the questions you may be unable to express. You can bring your pain before Him without pretending that everything is fine.

c. God's love remains constant in difficult seasons (Romans 8:38-39)

Paul declared that nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Neither present circumstances nor future uncertainties can cancel His love.

Do not conclude that God has stopped loving you because you are experiencing hardship. Difficult seasons are not proof of divine rejection.

Hold firmly to the truth of God's love. Let His promises strengthen you when your emotions are overwhelmed by what you are facing.

d. God can remember you at the appointed moment (Genesis 30:22)

The Bible says that God remembered Rachel, listened to her and opened her womb. Her waiting season eventually gave way to the fulfilment of God's purpose.

There are situations in which people have waited for a long time to experience a change. The passage of time may have weakened their expectations, but God remains able to intervene.

Do not allow the length of your waiting season to determine the strength of your faith. Keep believing that God is able to act according to His purpose.

Biblical Example: Hannah (1 Samuel 1:9-20)

Hannah endured years of barrenness and the emotional pain associated with it. She continued to seek God in prayer, and the Lord eventually answered her petition with the birth of Samuel. Her testimony reminds us that a painful season does not have to be the final chapter of our lives.

3. GOD CAN INTERVENE WHEN HUMAN ABILITY HAS FAILED

By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been buried for four days. The people had already accepted the reality of his death. Martha even expressed concern about the smell that would come from the tomb.

The situation had gone beyond human ability. Nobody could restore Lazarus through medical treatment, personal influence or human effort. But the inability of man does not represent the inability of God.

There are situations in which every human option appears exhausted. At such moments, we must remember that God is not limited to the resources available to us. He can do what human strength cannot accomplish.

a. God specialises in situations beyond human ability (Luke 1:37)

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” — Luke 1:37 (KJV)

The angel Gabriel spoke these words when announcing the miraculous conception of Jesus. The declaration reveals that God's power is not limited by natural impossibilities.

What human beings cannot achieve may still be possible through divine intervention. This does not mean that every desire will automatically be granted, but it assures us that no situation is beyond God's power.

Stop making your human limitations the boundaries of your expectations. Trust God's ability even when you cannot see a natural solution.

b. God can make a way where there seems to be no way (Isaiah 43:19)

God promised to do a new thing and make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

A wilderness is not normally associated with roads, and a desert is not normally associated with rivers. Yet God declared that He could produce what the environment could not naturally provide.

You may be facing a situation where there appears to be no opportunity, no assistance or no solution. Do not conclude that your future is finished because the present circumstances look unfavourable.

God can create opportunities, provide direction and establish a new beginning where you least expect it.

c. God can restore what appears to be lost (Joel 2:25)

God promised Israel restoration after years of destruction by locusts. The damage had been extensive, but God declared His ability to restore.

There are losses that cannot be reversed through ordinary human effort. Years may have been wasted, opportunities may have disappeared and relationships may have suffered serious damage.

However, God can restore, rebuild and bring new fruitfulness into a person's life. Trust Him for the grace to recover and move forward.

d. God's power is greater than the finality of death (John 11:25-26)

Jesus declared that He is the resurrection and the life. He was not merely promising to perform a miracle; He was revealing His divine authority over life and death.

The grave was not greater than Jesus. The stone was not greater than Jesus. The four days in the tomb were not greater than Jesus.

Whatever appears final in your life must still be brought under the authority of Christ. Do not give circumstances the final word when Jesus has spoken.

Biblical Example: The Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-16)

The widow had only a handful of meal and a little oil, and she expected that she and her son would soon die from hunger. But when she obeyed God's instruction through Elijah, the meal and oil did not fail throughout the famine. Her experience demonstrates that God can sustain people even when their resources are almost exhausted.

4. FAITH MUST REMAIN ALIVE EVEN WHEN THE ANSWER SEEMS DELAYED

When Jesus arrived, Martha went out to meet Him and said, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” Her statement revealed both her faith in Jesus' healing power and her disappointment that He had not arrived earlier.

Jesus redirected her attention from what had happened to what He was about to do. He challenged her to believe beyond the limitations of the present situation.

Faith is not the denial of reality. Martha knew that Lazarus was dead, but Jesus wanted her to understand that death was not beyond His authority. Genuine faith holds on to God's power even when circumstances appear contradictory.

a. Believe that God is still able to act (Mark 9:23)

Jesus told the father of a child troubled by an evil spirit that all things were possible to him that believed.

Faith does not mean that we control God or dictate how He must act. It means that we trust His power, wisdom and faithfulness.

Do not allow disappointment to destroy your confidence in God. Even when you do not understand His timing, continue to believe that He is able to intervene.

b. Refuse to allow fear to dominate your heart (Isaiah 41:10)

God instructed His people not to fear because He was with them, would strengthen them and would uphold them.

Fear magnifies the problem and weakens our confidence. It makes us focus on what might go wrong rather than on the faithfulness of God.

When fear arises, deliberately remind yourself of God's promises. Pray, meditate on His Word and take the next step of obedience.

c. Keep holding on to God's promises (Hebrews 10:23)

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” — Hebrews 10:23 (KJV)

The foundation of our faith is not our ability to predict the future. It is the faithfulness of the God who has made promises.

There will be moments when your circumstances challenge what you believe. At such times, return to God's Word and remember His character.

Do not surrender your convictions because the answer has not yet appeared. Hold firmly to the Lord and continue walking in obedience.

d. Let prayer sustain you during the waiting season (Luke 18:1)

Jesus taught His disciples that they ought always to pray and not to faint. Prayer keeps our hearts connected to God and strengthens us to persevere.

Waiting should not become an excuse for spiritual inactivity. Continue praying, worshipping, serving and obeying God while you wait.

Do not allow discouragement to silence your prayers. Keep bringing your needs before the Lord with faith and humility.

Biblical Example: The Woman with the Issue of Blood (Mark 5:25-34)

For twelve years, this woman suffered from an issue of blood and had spent her resources seeking a cure without success. Yet she continued to believe that touching Jesus' garment would bring healing. Her faith brought her into contact with the power of Christ, and she was made whole. Her testimony teaches us not to abandon faith because of the length of a difficult season.

5. GOD'S INTERVENTION CAN TURN A PAINFUL STORY INTO A TESTIMONY

Jesus told Martha that if she believed, she would see the glory of God. This statement was made before the stone was removed and before Lazarus came out of the tomb.

The situation that had brought tears to the family became an opportunity for the glory of God to be revealed. The death of Lazarus was not the end of the story. Jesus transformed a scene of mourning into a testimony of resurrection power.

God can bring glory out of situations that have caused you pain. He can use your testimony to encourage others, strengthen faith and reveal His greatness.

a. God can turn mourning into rejoicing (Psalm 30:11)

“Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;” — Psalm 30:11 (KJV)

The psalmist testified that God had changed his season of mourning into one of rejoicing.

There are seasons when sorrow becomes so overwhelming that it is difficult to imagine another season of joy. Yet God is able to bring comfort, healing and renewed hope.

Do not conclude that your present tears will determine the rest of your life. Trust God to sustain you and lead you into a new season.

b. God can bring life into dead situations (Ezekiel 37:1-10)

Ezekiel was taken by the Spirit of God into a valley filled with dry bones. The bones represented a condition that appeared completely hopeless. Yet God instructed the prophet to speak His Word, and the bones came together and became a great army.

The vision teaches us that God's power can bring restoration where there is no visible evidence of life.

Perhaps your business, ministry, marriage, career or personal dream appears to have lost its strength. Do not surrender to despair. Seek God's direction and believe Him for restoration.

c. God can use your testimony to strengthen others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Paul teaches that God comforts us in our afflictions so that we may comfort others who are facing difficulties.

The things God brings us through can become instruments of encouragement to other people. Your experience may help someone else to remain faithful during a difficult season.

Do not allow your trials to make you bitter or insensitive. As God strengthens you, become a source of encouragement to others.

d. God's glory can be revealed through impossible situations (John 11:40)

Jesus told Martha that if she believed, she would see the glory of God. The miracle was intended to reveal the identity and authority of Christ.

Sometimes, the greatest testimony is not simply that a problem was solved, but that people came to recognise God's power through what happened.

Let your life point people to Jesus. When God intervenes, give Him the glory and use your testimony to strengthen the faith of others.

Biblical Example: Joseph (Genesis 41:14-44; 50:20)

Joseph experienced betrayal, slavery and imprisonment before being elevated to a position of authority in Egypt. What appeared to be a series of painful setbacks became part of God's providential plan to preserve many lives during famine. Joseph eventually acknowledged that although his brothers intended evil against him, God used the situation for good. His life demonstrates that God can bring a meaningful outcome out of painful experiences.

6. WHEN GOD STEPS IN, HIS POWER IS GREATER THAN THE PROBLEM

The climax of John 11 came when Jesus stood before the tomb and commanded that the stone be taken away. Martha was concerned about the condition of the body because Lazarus had been dead for four days. But Jesus was about to demonstrate that His authority was greater than the condition of the grave.

Jesus prayed to the Father and then cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” The dead man came out, still wrapped in grave clothes. The One who had been buried was now standing alive before the people.

This miracle demonstrates the authority of Christ over death and reveals that no situation is beyond His sovereign power. When He intervenes, what human beings have declared impossible can become a testimony of His glory.

a. God can remove obstacles that stand in the way (John 11:39)

Jesus instructed the people to take away the stone. Although He had the power to raise Lazarus, He still gave the people a responsibility to carry out.

This teaches us that faith does not eliminate our responsibility. There are practical steps we must take in obedience to God's instructions.

You may need to remove the stone of unforgiveness, fear, laziness, dishonesty or unbelief. Do not keep holding on to attitudes that obstruct your spiritual progress. Obey God and do what He has placed within your responsibility.

b. God's Word carries power to produce life (John 11:43-44)

Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb, and the dead man came forth. The voice of Christ accomplished what no human voice could achieve.

The Word of God is living and powerful. It brings conviction, direction, encouragement and transformation. We must therefore give His Word authority over our thoughts and decisions.

When circumstances contradict God's promises, continue to stand on His Word. Let Scripture guide your confession, strengthen your faith and shape your conduct.

c. God can restore what has been bound (John 11:44)

When Lazarus came out, his hands and feet were bound with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus instructed the people to loose him and let him go.

Lazarus was alive, but he still needed to be freed from the clothes of the grave. This provides a picture of the need for continued restoration and freedom after a major breakthrough.

Some people experience a change in circumstances but still carry the effects of their former struggles. They may need healing from painful memories, freedom from destructive habits and support to establish a new pattern of life.

Ask God not only to bring you out of difficult circumstances but also to help you walk in the freedom and newness He provides.

d. Your testimony can become a reason for others to believe (John 11:45)

The Bible records that many of the Jews who witnessed what Jesus did believed on Him.

The resurrection of Lazarus became a testimony that affected other people. The miracle was not only for the benefit of the family; it also revealed the glory of Christ to those who witnessed it.

When God does something in your life, let your testimony strengthen the faith of others. Do not use your blessing merely for personal celebration. Let it become an opportunity to glorify God and encourage people to trust Jesus.

Biblical Example: Peter's Deliverance from Prison (Acts 12:5-11)

Peter was imprisoned, guarded by soldiers and awaiting what appeared to be a hopeless outcome. But the Church prayed earnestly for him, and an angel of the Lord led him out of prison. The gates opened before him, and he was set free. His experience demonstrates that God can intervene even when human systems have closed every door.

CONCLUSION

The story of Lazarus teaches us that God never comes too late. Martha and Mary believed that Jesus should have arrived before their brother died, but the Lord had a greater demonstration of His power in view. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days, yet the grave could not stop Him. His authority was greater than death, and His timing was beyond human understanding. What appeared to be the end became an occasion for the glory of God to be revealed.

Therefore, do not give up because your answer has not yet come. Do not allow the length of your waiting season to destroy your confidence in God. Continue to pray, believe, obey and remain faithful. The God who remembered Abraham, answered Hannah and raised Lazarus is still able to intervene in your life. He knows your situation, understands your tears and has power over what appears impossible. Your circumstances may seem late, but God is never late. Keep trusting Him, because He remains faithful.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, strengthen my faith to trust Your timing in every situation, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, deliver me from discouragement and impatience during seasons of waiting, in Jesus name.

3. Father, remember me and intervene in every difficult situation of my life, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, let every hopeless situation in my life receive Your divine intervention, in Jesus name.

5. Father, remove every obstacle standing in the way of my breakthrough, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, restore every good thing I have lost according to Your will, in Jesus name.

7. Father, give me the grace to remain faithful when answers appear delayed, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, let Your resurrection power bring life into every dead situation around me, in Jesus name.

9. Father, turn my present challenges into testimonies that will glorify Your name, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, let my life become a testimony of Your faithfulness and miraculous power, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You will not miss God's appointed time for your testimony in the mighty name of Jesus.

2. Every season of discouragement in your life will give way to renewed hope in the mighty name of Jesus.

3. God will remember you and intervene in your situation in the mighty name of Jesus.

4. Every situation that appears hopeless will receive divine attention in the mighty name of Jesus.

5. You will not be defeated by the limitations of human ability in the mighty name of Jesus.

6. Every good thing that God has ordained for your life will be fulfilled in the mighty name of Jesus.

7. You will receive strength to remain faithful throughout your waiting season in the mighty name of Jesus.

8. Every grave-like situation in your life will give way to the power of God in the mighty name of Jesus.

9. Your mourning will turn into rejoicing, and your challenges will become testimonies in the mighty name of Jesus.

10. You will experience the faithfulness of the God who never comes too late in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.