In The House Of MiserySample

Never Underestimate God 

Verse 17 tells us that Lazarus had been in the tomb four days, which, because the Jews buried him on the day of death, also means he had been dead four days. As Martha later says in verse 39, "by this time there is a stench." There was no doubt that Lazarus was truly dead

Verse 20 tells us that Martha heard that Jesus was coming and went to meet Him, but Mary did not hear and stayed seated in the house. The following verses show that Martha did not fully appreciate who Jesus was and what He could do: "Therefore Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn't have died. Even now I know that, whatever you ask of God, God will give you'" (John 11:21-22). 

Martha is an excellent example of a certain type of believer, of whom we have many today. They believe, but they are always troubling themselves with questions of "How?" and "Why?" and "What if?" and so miss the blessing that could be theirs if they would only believe more simply. 

It appears that her statement is half faith and half grief. It’s a statement of faith in that she believes Jesus could have helped Lazarus if he’d gotten there before Lazarus died. But she believed Jesus had to be in close proximity to her brother in order to heal him. But now it is all over. 

Martha thinks she knows what Jesus is capable of doing—and what he cannot do. She is like so many of us. We limit Jesus to the ways in which we think he works. Do we trust Jesus enough to let him do what he needs to do? Often, we are like Martha when we underestimate what God can do. 

Like many today, Martha attributed human frailty and fallibility to Jesus thinking that He missed the opportunity to heal her brother. She did not understand that Jesus did not have to be there to heal Lazarus. He could have done it at a distance

Even when she seemed to be expressing faith, the word she used for "ask" shows she still didn't understand that Jesus is God. The word is aiteō, and it refers to an inferior begging something from a superior. It is not a word otherwise used of Jesus. It is the word Jesus frequently used of our asking things of God, but not of His asking. John 16:26 shows us the distinction: "In that day you shall ask [aiteō] in my name; and I say not to you that I will ask [erōtaō—the request of one equal to another] the father concerning you"

Like Martha, we can all fall into the trap of being anxious over our circumstances and impatient with God. But this is not what He wants for us. He wants us to rest in Him and trust that He will work all things for our good how and when He sees fit.

Quote: Every new step of faith I take makes my old steps look like unbelief. - Unknown author

Application question: In what ways are you limiting what God can and cannot do in your life?

Prayer: Lord, help me never to underestimate what You can do in and through my life. I unreservedly commit my life in Your hands. Amen