Not Yet, Not That, But Better

In this message, we see through Lazarus, Paul’s thorn, and even Jesus in Gethsemane that God’s silence and delays are never indifference, but loving purposes meant to draw us closer and shape us more like Christ. This sermon invites us to trust a good Father who withholds lesser things to give us something greater—not just relief, but himself.Why does God sometimes feel silent, or answer our prayers with “no”? In this message, we see through Lazarus, Paul’s thorn, and Jesus in Gethsemane that God’s delays and “no’s” are never indifference, but loving purposes aimed at something better. This sermon calls us to trust a good Father who may say “not yet” or “not that” because he is working for our greatest good, conforming us to Christ and giving us himself.