John 11:21
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Lazarus was gone. Martha had watched the sickness steal his strength and finally silence his breath. She had sent for Jesus, but four long days passed before He arrived. When He finally stepped into their grief, Martha met Him with a mixture of faith and ache: “If You had been here…”
Jesus answered her with a truth large enough to steady any trembling heart: “I am the resurrection and the life.” Martha believed Him. She trusted that one day—some distant day—Lazarus would rise again.
Her faith was sincere, and Scripture honors her devotion. She was a woman Jesus loved, a friend He cherished. But in this moment, she reveals a struggle familiar to all of us.
She had faith for yesterday—“If You had been here…”
She had faith for tomorrow—“He will rise again at the last day.”
But Jesus invited her to believe for today.
That is the lesson we need. Not faith anchored only in what God once did, nor faith postponed to what He might do someday, but faith that trusts Him in the living, breathing now. Learn from Martha. Let your faith lean into today.
I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.
Suggested prayer:
Lord, give me faith for today. Strengthen my heart to trust You fully and walk without fear.