Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." John 11:21-22
When Jesus visited Marie and Martha in Bethany following the death of their brother Lazarus, there was no expectation from the sisters that they would see their brother again in the land of the living. Marie and Martha had resigned their selves to the reality that Lazarus was gone. They were excited to have Jesus at their house, but they did not make any demands on the Lord about their brother.
That does not mean they did not believe in the miracle-working power of Jesus. Martha told Jesus that if he had been around during Lazarus’ illness, her brother would not have died. That is a statement of profound faith and trust in the Lord. Martha went a step further to say that "even now God will give you whatever you ask.” She did not know what Jesus was going to do. However, she believed that nothing is impossible with God.
In the past couple of weeks, the number of people infected with coronavirus has increased dramatically worldwide. Though medical experts have made progress in developing a vaccine for Covid-19, the world remains under the pandemic's vicious grip. No one can predict the devastating impact the virus is going to have on the world as we anticipate a second wave. The only thing we know is that thousands of lives will be lost to the virus in the next few months.
As dire things may be for many parts of the world, I yet believe that even now, God brings an end to the pandemic. I am encouraged by the progress in pharmaceutical research to develop a vaccine for the virus. I am also heartened by the fact that medical doctors are learning more ways to fight the virus and reduce the mortality rate associated with it. However, I believe the ultimate solution for the pandemic lies in our faith in Almighty God.
Therefore, believers should cry out to God without ceasing and ask the Lord to step in, though things may seem hopeless for millions of people. Indeed, even now, God can rescue a fail business, or heal a victim of coronavirus on their deathbed, or restore the economy to its pre-COVID 19 status. Nothing is impossible with the God who spoke the world into existence.
Even now, God can speak peace and justice amid the social unrest that proliferates throughout the country. God can speak reconciliation in a failed marriage despite a divorce. Even now, God can heal cancer, no matter what stage it is.
Unfortunately, too many Christians have stopped believing in miracles. Some believers put more faith in medical professionals or government representatives than God. Just because a medical doctor says there is nothing he or she can do does not mean all hope is gone. Even when the unemployment rate continues to rise, believers should trust that God can still make a way out of nowhere.
We should be encouraged by the statement of Martha. Whatever we have been waiting for God to do for us, we have to wait on the Lord and be of good courage because God is still doing miracles this season. Even now, the glory of the Lord will be revealed.
Prayer- Blessed Lord, please strengthen those that have lost hope. Remind them that even now you can deliver them from all their troubles.