“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, 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.
Have you ever had a situation that was critical? Imagine you’re at a hospital with a loved one who is critically ill. The doctor’s are doing all they can , but time is running out. You tell the doctor, If you’d made the diagnosis sooner, maybe this wouldn’t have happened.” But then, with a mix of hope and faith, you add, “I still believe that even now, if you have the right treatment, there’s a chance for healing.”
Just like Martha, we acknowledge the loss and the timing, yet we still hold on to the possibility that something miraculous could happen, even in a seemingly hopeless situation. Although, there will be times where we have earnestly prayed and hoped for transformation, but things still don’t turn out the way we hoped. But don’t loose heart! The Bible provides many scriptural references where Jesus provided hope in seemingly hopeless circumstances, much like Martha’s faith in John 11:21-22.
In Daniel 3:16-18 we witness “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faced with the threat of being thrown into a blazing furnace, if they refused to bow down to the king’s idol.” In their response, they said: “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)
These three men knew that God was capable of saving them, but they also expressed that their faith in God wasn’t contingent on the outcome. Even if God chose not to deliver them in the way they expected, their trust in His sovereignty remained intact. Their hope was in God’s greater plan. Martha’s too knew that there was a greater plan of Lazarus being raised on the day of resurrection, as stated in John 11:38-44, Jesus does eventually raise Lazarus from the dead. But before that miracle, Martha expressed her disappointment and faith: “But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” (John 11:22). Jesus responds, telling her that her brother will rise again (John 11:23), and then He demonstrates His power over death by bringing Lazarus back to life.
This moment serves as a reminder that God’s timing and ways are often beyond our understanding. Even in situations where we feel hopeless, God can still work miracles—even after what seems like a loss. The key is to trust Him “even now” in the midst of our pain and unanswered prayers. God wants to grow our faith. Sometimes the words we speak will be tested. In Mark 9, a father brings his demon-possessed son to Jesus, and Jesus asks, “Everything is possible for one who believes.” The father responds with a vulnerable cry: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).
This father had faith, but his faith was also mingled with doubt and sorrow from years of watching his son suffer. Yet Jesus responded to his cry, and the boy was healed. This teaches us that even when we struggle with doubts or when things don’t go as planned, God honors our faith and is still at work. The apostle Paul even experienced unanswered prayer. He prayed earnestly for God to remove a “thorn in the flesh”—a source of great personal pain. But God responded by telling him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Despite Paul’s prayers, his request wasn’t granted in the way he expected either, but God used his weakness to demonstrate His power and grace.
Paul’s response was one of acceptance: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9). This reminds us that God’s purpose might not always align with our desires, but His grace is always enough to sustain us. You may have prayed earnestly for God to transform your marriage, as I have, and still faced the painful reality that it ended. It may feel as if your prayers went unanswered, or that God didn’t intervene the way you had hoped. But even now, God’s work is not finished in your life. There is still hope.
Even in the midst of disappointment, remember the faith of the three Hebrew boys: “But even if He does not…” (Daniel 3:18). Their hope wasn’t in a specific outcome but in God’s sovereignty. Similarly, Martha’s statement in John 11, “Even now…” acknowledges that, even after the death of Lazarus, God was still at work. And Jesus, through His resurrection power, can bring new life even after the darkest of situations.
God’s redemptive power works not only in the good times but especially in the times when we feel the weight of our loss. Even if the marriage didn’t transform the way you prayed for, God still has a plan for your future—a plan that might not be what you expected, but it’s one filled with His love, healing, and grace. As you continue to trust Him, you can hold onto the truth that, even now, God is able to work in your life and bring about transformation, healing, and new hope—no matter the season.
In His Service,
Carolyn