I have noticed that a lot of times, we don’t have as much compassion for people who are struggling in a particular area where we have no struggle, or have overcome the struggle. In our finite minds, we think, “You should’ve been out of that by now. Why are you still struggling with that?” Because they haven’t come out of their situation (needing a job, finishing school, relationship problems, family issues, troubled child, accepting salvation, etc.) yet, we assume they don’t want it bad enough, or that they are lazy. We overlook their efforts simply because they aren’t where We think they should be by now.
1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: But While I Am Coming, another steppeth down before me.
8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath (John 5:1-9).
Once I found myself in that place of “But While I Am Coming,” I gained a better understanding. This is that place in your life where you are doing the best you can, according to your ability. To those on the outside looking in, it looks like you aren’t really applying yourself; but thank God that HE is not like us. Instead of assuming you don’t want it bad enough, He sees even your smallest efforts and He comes and brings you to your expected end. Don’t give up on yourself! God is going to do a new thing (Isaiah 43:19)!
In today’s society, many people, including some Believers, have this “I’m going for mine, you get your own” mentality. But, what about the scripture, “When you are strengthened go back and restore your brothers (Luke 22:32)?” Just like the man mentioned in John 5, where were all the other people who stepped in the water before him every other time the Angel troubled it and who were healed? No one felt compelled to come back and help him; to help someone who is in the same place they were once in? Do you feel helpless?
God is saving the best for last. Eyes have not seen ears have not heard neither has it entered into the heart of man all the great things the Lord has in store for you (1 Corinthians 2:9)! He is going to bless you like He has blessed no other! It’s a setup! No man will be able to get the Glory for what He is going to do for you. There’s no way He’s going to let the same people who counted you out, and talked about you, and told you that you don’t want it bad enough, take the credit for the way He is going to blow your mind. Notice, that because Jesus showed up, this man didn’t even need to get into the pool to receive his healing; but he was immediately made whole. See, you are special to God, so He can’t bless you the same as everyone else. No, your Blessing is Divinely designed, tailor-made just for you. He has seen your faith; when others were being blessed all around you, you didn’t give up, you kept the faith.
So, That Settles It. If you have been waiting and it seems like you can’t catch a break, like everyone else is being blessed except you, no matter how hard you try, then this word is for you: The Lord has seen your season of “But While I Am Coming,” and today I Am has come to bless you indeed! Rise take up your bed and walk!