John 11:21-22

New International Version

“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.”

For Meditation

His phone rang just as he was getting ready to go on a trip. 

“Sir, your appointment is here and ready for you.” 

“What! Who is it?”

He had forgotten about that appointment. He was in an unpleasant situation and did not know what to do. Rush hour traffic from his house to the office is terrible and could take close to an hour or more to get there. He had not physically nor mentally prepared for their discussion. Besides, he had a long trip ahead of him, and his body was protesting. He apologized and asked that they reschedule. 

“It’s no problem, sir.”

Jonnie could tell the man was struggling to be polite. It was a grave breach of trust and an offense to make the man come from his office to his and not be there to receive him. But that’s the usual response to somebody you respect and expect something better from, who disappoints you. Though they may act politely about it, they may be seething inside and mumbling under their breath. 

Martha struggled to respond to Jesus when he failed to come to their sick brother’s bedside when they called for His help. Four days had passed, and Lazarus was dead. Jesus finally arrived in Bethany, and Martha went out to meet Him.

“If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now, God will give you whatever you ask,” Martha said. 

Feel her pain and disappointment. Get under her breath and hear her actual response. It may not have been that cordial. But this was Jesus she was talking to, and she restrained her sentiments to welcome Him. 

Don’t we all get to that point with some people repeatedly? Even now, you are struggling with your response to somebody who has disappointed you terribly and broken your heart. Part of you wants to kick him, snob, or say something he will never forget. But you are subdued. You dig deep into the well of respect and come up with something polite to dismiss the issue. 

“Don’t worry… It is alright. We can reschedule.” 

May the Lord give you grace to forgive that person—whether your husband, wife, boss, father, mother, pastor or an older person you respect. May the Holy Spirit give you a hefty dose of self-control to honor the Lord in your response. 

It is also possible that your disappointment is with the Lord, just as Martha was with Jesus. You have cried to Him for something dear to your heart. You have stood on His promises and prayed. Finally, you lost the battle, and now you find yourself before Him in prayer—again. What do you say to Him? Can you hear Him?