God may show up late and still make you the latest.

Most times when we pray we assume or automatically believe that God must answer our prayers immediately. One thing you must understand is, your duty is to pray and the duty of God is to answer. However, God has the right to answer immediately or to answer later.

If God answers every prayer at the same time I think there would be commotion on earth. Again, sometimes we pray amiss. What God does is to separate our wants from our needs. Sometimes what you pray for does not come to pass, why? You are not God. It is only God that can say anything and it comes to pass. 

God turning up late does not make Him late or slack. He shows up late to make you the latest in town.

John 11:6 says, “So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was”.

Jesus was told that Lazarus was sick. Instead of leaving immediately to attend to him He delayed for two days and Lazarus died. Now imagine how Martha and Mary felt when they saw Jesus come late. The gossip, murmuring, questions and grunting. They might had said, “Look at when He came, when our brother is dead”. 

They had buried Lazarus, they never waited for Jesus. They were angry with Jesus, they thought He would had showed up when they called on Him but He didn’t. Martha blamed Jesus for not coming on time (John 11:21). When Jesus asked them to take away the stone, Martha was still arguing. She felt there was no need to do that because Lazarus was already decaying (John 11:39).

After all their unbelieve and less concerned attitude they reluctantly rolled away the stone. Then Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus come forth!” and he that was dead came back to life. What happened? Lazarus became the latest in town. The news spread through all the cities and beyond. If it had happened in our generation it will go viral on Facebook, Instagram or Tweeter. CNN, BBC, VOA will make the story their headlines. Imagine the attention Lazarus would draw to himself. Before he grants them a live interview he will certainly make money out of them. Certainly he would be a celebrity for Christ.

What have you been believing God to do for you? Due to the unanswered prayer you are now doubting God. You are wondering if He is still there. The last time you prayed He didn’t answer so you felt there was no need to pray or believe again. The truth is that God does not answer every prayer and when He answers, it might be of late to you and when He shows up your case is settled.

Go to God in prayer, you never can tell if He is testing you to know your level of faith. No matter what you are passing through, no matter what the critical situation you are in now, He is not late. He is working out your testimony. He is arranging your life so that when you receive the answers to your prayers it becomes permanent.

God is never late. His lateness is your greatness. When He comes late He makes you the latest.