Monday Messages from the Heart---A Faith That Still Believes / Better Living

Shana Miller—Guest Columnist | Somerset-Pulaski Advocate

A Faith That Still Believes

John 11:21-22 (KJV)

"Then said Martha unto Jesus, 'Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee'."

Martha often gets remembered as the busy sister. She's the one we picture rushing around the house while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus. Because of that, Martha is sometimes unfairly known only for her striving. Yet when we arrive at the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead, we see something beautiful about her faith. When Jesus finally arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had already been dead for four days. Martha's heart was broken. Grief filled the atmosphere. Nothing about the situation made sense from a human perspective.

When she saw Jesus, her first words were honest:

"Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."

Many believers have prayed a similar prayer.

"Lord, if You would have answered sooner."

"Lord, if You would have intervened."

"Lord, if You would have changed the situation."

"Lord, if You would have opened that door."

Martha wasn't hiding her disappointment. She wasn't pretending she understood God's timing. She brought her hurt directly to Jesus. Yet what makes her response so powerful is what came next:

"But I know..." In the middle of her grief, she still believed. In the middle of her confusion, she still trusted. In the middle of what looked impossible, she still had faith in the goodness and power of God.

Martha teaches us that faith is not the absence of questions. Faith is choosing to trust Jesus even when we don't have all the answers. Sometimes we think faith means never struggling, never doubting, and never wrestling with disappointment. But Martha shows us that genuine faith can exist alongside heartbreak. She didn't understand why Jesus had waited. She didn't understand why Lazarus had died.

She didn't know Jesus was about to perform one of the greatest miracles recorded in Scripture, but she knew Jesus.

Knowing Jesus is enough when we don't understand what He's doing.

When God doesn't seem to show up. When there are seasons when God's timing feels delayed. Prayers go unanswered. Doors remain closed. Healing doesn't come when we expect it. Situations seem to get worse instead of better. Martha could have allowed disappointment to turn into bitterness. Instead, she chose faith.

What if the delay isn't God's absence?

What if God is working in ways you cannot yet see?

What if the very thing that feels hopeless today will become tomorrow's testimony?

Before Jesus raised Lazarus, He declared that the situation would be for the glory of God. The miracle wasn't late. It arrived exactly when God's purpose required it.

The same God who was working behind the scenes in Bethany is still working behind the scenes in our lives today.

Martha's faith wasn't perfect, but it was genuine. She brought her pain to Jesus. She spoke honestly to Him. She trusted Him even when she didn't understand Him. And because of that, she witnessed the glory of God. She has seen the faithfulness of God!

Maybe today you find yourself asking, "Lord, where are You?"

Follow Martha's example.

Bring your questions.

Bring your disappointments.

Bring your grief.

Bring your confusion.

But don't stop there.

Let your heart also say, "But I know You are still good. I know you are still faithful. I know you are still working. And I know You are still God." Faith is not saying, "God, I understand." Faith is saying, "God, I trust You anyway."