And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
Today I'm going to focus on one word - that word is "work." The Greek word used for "work together" is "sunergei" "Sunergei," from which we get the word "synergy" means an active involvement - God is actively working - and even when to us it seems He is silent, He is actively working to bring about His good.
Let's look at a time when it seemed that God was silent. In John 11, the story is recounted of Jesus' friends Martha and Mary. They had sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was sick.
John 11:4- 6 says: 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." Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.
Marth and Mary had surely heard of the times when Jesus healed instantly; yet, Jesus waited. He waited 2 more days until he traveled to Martha and Mary. And in the meanwhile, Lazarus died. Scripture does not tell us what was going through the minds of Mary and Martha, but I can imagine how they felt. They may have felt let down by Jesus. Perhaps they were wondering if Jesus truly loved them. Perhaps they wondered if Jesus can really heal. I'm sure there was lots of emotion and thoughts in their minds and coming out of their mouths. I'm sure they were wondering why Jesus was silent.
When Jesus came to Bethany, scripture tells us that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days (v17). Verse 20 says that when it was known that Jesus was coming, Martha went out to meet Jesus, but Mary stayed home. I've not noticed that part of this story until tonight. Scripture doesn't tell us why she stayed inside. Just something interesting for us to ponder.
After speaking to Martha and Mary, Jesus asks to go to the tomb of Lazarus. They take Jesus to the tomb and Jesus enters it.
40Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.Jesus was silent for a few days. Was He not working? Did He take a vacation or a break? No, His plan was a greater plan - to reveal greater glory to those who saw this miracle and to those who heard and we who can read it. Jesus chose to wait - to seem silent - before he amazingly rose Lazarus from the dead.
God is active - He is working - when we can't see it right now in our life, He is still working. Be patient. Seek Him. Spend time with Him. Study His Word. Confess sin. Seek His face. He cares for you. He is actively working in your life.
I am praying for you as you memorize Romans 8:28 and internalize what you can learn about God's character and God's ways through this verse.
God is active - even when He seems silent. I am praying that you are seeking His anchored hope today, even when you find yourself in the midst of grief. God doesn't ask you to not grieve. He loves you - he bottles your tears - God asks you to look to Him and to trust His plan. Even when you can't see any good in the moment - trust His eternal plan to be working out good.
Here is a song which reminds us about God's character and for us to trust His heart.
PS - there is another blog posting called "Jesus Wept" which talks about John 11 more if you'd like to read it here.
