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The Wise Delay

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 21, 1871

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 37, No. 10.

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The Wise Delay.

By Susan Emer

THERE is much in the history of Lazarus to interest and instruct us. How expressive the appeal from the sisters: “Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.” How calculated to touch the compassionate heart of the Saviour. To look on the outward appearance, we should expect him to go at once to his sick friend. How mysterious that his love for them should cause his delay. For we read, “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard, therefore, that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.” Meanwhile the sisters with sad hearts were watching by the side of their much-loved brother. What suspense marks each passing moment! With what anxiety do they wait the return of their absent Lord. For well they know that if he should but speak the word, their brother would at once be restored to health again.
But still he comes not. They witness his eyes closed in death, and behold him clad in the habiliments of the tomb. Ah! why does he thus tarry? But how dim is all human foresight when compared to his. Dry those tears, thou stricken ones. Leave all with Him who is too wise to err; and in the end, all will prove for the best.
It is impossible to determine the vast amount of good accomplished by that two days’ delay. As I have meditated on the wisdom and power of the Saviour, I have been nearly lost in wonder and admiration. The good thus wrought may be compared to a rivulet that enlarges in its onward course till at length it is lost in the mighty ocean. In the first place, it confirmed the faith of his disciples; and who can tell the joy of the sisters, as they behold their brother brought back from the dominion of death? And how it added to their joy to witness so many of their kinsmen converted to the faith. For history says that four thousand were brought to believe on the Messiah on account of this transaction. And the Lord may have wrought through these in the salvation of many more. Nor does it stop here; it points forward to the time when the voice that bade Lazarus come forth, shall again call to life the countless millions of the redeemed. What a thought! May we be there to share the reward of the faithful, to hail with joy the glorious morn that ends our sorrows here, and bids us welcome to all the bliss of Heaven.
SUSAN EMER.