Too wise a physician to make any mistakes

"Yet when He heard that Lazarus was sick,
 He stayed where He was two more days."
     John 11:6

(J. C. Ryle, "The Gospel of John" 1873)

Christ knows best at what time to do anything
for His people. He purposely delayed His journey,
and did not come to Bethany until Lazarus had
been in the grave four days. No doubt He knew
well what was going on. But He never moved
until the time came which He saw was best.

The children of God must constantly school their
minds to learn the great lesson now before us.
Nothing so helps us to bear patiently the trials of
life as an abiding conviction of the perfect wisdom
by which everything around us is managed.

Let us try to believe not only that all that happens
to us is done well, but that it is done . . .
  in the best manner,
  by the right instrument,
  and at the right time.

We are all naturally impatient in the day of trial.
We are apt to say, like Moses, when beloved ones
are sick, "Heal her now, Lord, we beseech You."

We forget that Christ is too wise a physician to
make any mistakes. It is the duty of faith to say,
"My times are in Your hand. Do with me as You will,
how You will, what You will, and when You will. Not
my will, but Yours be done." The highest degree of
faith is to be able to wait, sit still, and not complain.

Let us turn from the passage with a settled
determination to trust Christ entirely with all
the concerns of this world, both public and private.
Let us believe that He by whom all things were
made at first, is He who is managing all with
perfect wisdom.

The affairs of kingdoms, families, and private
individuals are all alike, overruled by Him.

He chooses all the portions of His people.

When we are sick, it is because He knows it
to be for our good. When He delays coming
to help us, it is for some wise reason.

The hand that was nailed to the cross is too
wise and loving to smite without a 'needs be',
or to keep us waiting for relief without a cause.