Life is difficult. Bad things happen. Many times, things happen that are hard for us to grasp and understand. We must trust God in every situation.
Near Jerusalem was the town of Bethany where Jesus had some very special friends. Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha. Lazarus became very sick and his sisters sent word for Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus delayed going. When He finally went, Lazarus was dead. As a matter of fact, by the time he arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days.
Once they had sent the message of their brother’s severe illness, I can imagine every knock at the door brought a wave of hope that it was Jesus arriving to heal their brother. But Jesus never showed up while Lazarus was alive. Jesus told His disciples that their delay was for the purpose of the Son of God receiving glory. That statement probably flew right over their heads like many other things Jesus had said.
So now they all show up at the edge of the town of Bethany. Martha runs out to greet Jesus. I’m sure she was glad to see Jesus but disappointed in that her brother was already dead and entombed.
She declares to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:22 NKJV).
The statement has a sound of accusation but a greater ring of faith. She had no doubt that if Jesus had shown up, Lazarus would have been healed.
Then her next sentence is even greater. She says, “But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”
Wow! This statement blows me away. Now even when the worst thing has happened, she believes Jesus can do something beyond a healing miracle. Amazing.
Those of you who know this story, you know that Jesus resurrects Lazarus from the dead. After he has been dead four days and even stinking dead.
Do we continue to trust Jesus when the worst thing happens? When the diagnosis is bad. When the funds are exhausted. When all hope is dashed upon the rocks. When your greatest desire suddenly becomes nothing but a soured wish.
But Martha says, “But even now…
“Oh Lord, turn our doubt into Even-Now-Faith!” Let us believe God even after the time has run out. Let us believe God even after the reasonable expectation limits have been hit. When my mind says it is too late, let our spirits scream out “EVEN NOW!!!”
If you do not know it yet, let me declare it to you, “All things are possible with God.” Jesus spoke to the man who brought his son to Him for deliverance from demons. “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23 NKJV).
You may have been told it is too late. There’s nothing else to be done but cry. Jesus is standing outside on the edge of your doubts saying, “Believe In Me; Even Now!”
Yours on the Journey,
Harry L. Whitt
