If churches of the modern era had existed during the days of Job, would his divine commendation have spared him from his tribulations? Furthermore, why did the Lord not shield Peter with a total prohibition against Satan’s interference, rather than permitting the sifting? We see this pattern elsewhere: the man born blind (John 9:1-3) and the intentional delay in reaching Lazarus. Even the onlookers questioned why the One who granted sight to the blind permitted His friend to perish(John 11:37). But healing Lazarus was not the plan of God. In fact, many Jews would come to know the Lord and the chain of events would unravel and quicken, leading to the main goal: His crucifixion and sacrifice for mankind(John 12:9-12).
Additionally, In Jewish tradition at the time, many believed that the soul hovered over the body for three days, hoping to re-enter it. By the fourth day, it was believed that the soul had finally departed because the body began to show visible signs of decay (decomposition). By waiting until the fourth day, Jesus ensured that no one could claim Lazarus had simply “fainted” or was in a deep sleep. It was an undeniable, absolute death. -Bethany bible church
Furthermore, He stated it was for the glory of God in (John 11:4) We should always be cognizant that the Bible says we exist for the praise of His glory( Eph 1:12). This is part and parcel of what we signed up for when we accepted Jesus as Lord; to be participants and conduits for His glory( Isa 43:21).In (John 11:15), Jesus told His disciples, “I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. Lastly, He demonstrated His ultimate power over death, unequivocally proving that He is the resurrection and the life. At times, it feels as though we are going through a profound dilemma, a problem that feels impregnable, stuck in a labyrinth that mocks our every attempt. In desperation we lean on those mature than us in the faith to petition the heavens on our behalf hoping that their fervent prayers coupled with our desperation will yield favorable results but the mountain remains defiantly in our path.
The Lord does not shield us from every trial and discomfort that comes our way. He even told us to brace ourselves for it (John 16:33) .
The bible is replete with the faithful who endured deep affliction despite their devotion: Daniel was cast into the den of lions inspite of his daily prayers; Paul’s earnest petitions were met with a persistent thorn; Elizabeth and Zachariah faithfully served the Lord yet she, though blameless before God, bore the heavy stigma of barrenness until her child aligned with the Lord’s divine calender. Only then was her womb opened. Even the innocent Joseph was left in a prison, and Stephen, a man filled with the Holy Spirit, met his end in a hail of stones.
Therefore, it is a grievous and egregious error to equate ongoing hardship with a deficiency of faith. To cast blame upon the suffering is not only a distortion of the Gospel but a betrayal and misrepresentation of the heart of the Savior. As the Prophet Isaiah declared, ‘A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out'(Isa 42:3). Our Lord does not trample the broken; He sustains them.
Let us all be encouraged and remember that He will never leave us nor forsake us.