There are key issues when it comes to the glory of God. Firstly, God is protective of it. “I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images.” Isaiah 42:8 NKJV. God will never allow anything to drag His glory in the mud. Secondly, God wants the whole earth to have a feel of His glory. “For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2:14 NKJV. The desire to see the earth filled with His glory is what necessitates divine intervention from time to time. Jesus turned water to wine at Cana of Galilee. That miracle was not to excite the crowd or necessarily save the couple from embarrassment. Both of these eventually played out; but we must never allow them to becloud the chief aim of God’s operation – His glory!
The same thing can be said concerning the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. The household of Lazarus sent for Jesus when he became ill. Rather than abandon all official duties and dash down to his side, Jesus waited a few extra days. That delay must have caused a great deal of emotional pain for both the sick man and his sisters. By the time Jesus arrived at Bethany, Lazarus had not only died but was buried. You can see the frustration of both Mary and Martha as they told Jesus how His delay led to their brother’s death. Meanwhile, when Jesus heard of Lazarus’ sickness, He said it was not unto death but for the glory of God. This won’t fit into modern theology as we find it hard to believe that anything negative can bring glory to God. Jesus did not delay because He wanted to frustrate the family; He was only setting the stage for what would bring God greater glory. Note this: all the issues of your life are being worked out in such a way as to give God maximum glory. It is just a matter of time.