“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.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” – John 11:21-23 NLT

Saying these three words, “But I know” became the rallying cry of Martha’s faith.  After all, it was four days after she looked for the Savior’s arrival and got a no-show instead. It was four days after her brother, Lazarus, was wrapped in burial cloth and laid in a tomb.

You might be familiar with her story.  But it’s likely we’ve all had a hurt so deep, we’ve needed something (or someone) to rise.

I’ve grown more grateful for Martha’s “even now” insight over the last week.  The details are too painful to type.

But at other times in my life, I’ve lost loved ones and I can relate to her pain. I’ve also seen dreams die and looked for hope to rise again.  After all, hope keeps us looking in faith’s direction. And faith keeps us looking at God.

So when hurt is deep, hope rises. Fear, anger and doubt may try to weigh it down. But if we catch wind of Jeremiah 17:7, we begin to rise too.

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.” (NLT)

Martha’s story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when God seems to arrive later than our deadline. If you’ve wondered where He is as you’re scrambling for answers or seeking to do His will, His delay is nothing foreign to you.

But this passage illustrates how delays and disappointment highlight our need for hope.  Hope is more than a casual consideration of what can be. It’s more than a good vibe. Hope radically reconstructs our expectations based on who God is.

Martha didn’t just think, “It sure would be nice if my brother was still alive.” As she talked to Jesus, she realized she was talking to the Resurrection and the Life. (John 11:23-27)

I love her take on what it takes to get past the depths of our pain and experience the presence of God. As we approach Him with an “even now” perspective, He assures us He is always working on our behalf — behind the scenes and way before the scene takes place.

Now I see something radically different. Jesus wasn’t too late.

Martha began to understand timing is a tool in God’s hands. Her grief was real. Yet, in her sorrow she invites Jesus to give her an “even now” moment.

As her faith met His timing, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. She saw God’s glory because she believed. (See John 11:26-40)

Thanks for the lesson Martha.

Now it’s your turn and mine. Whatever we feel like it’s too late to happen, hope rises to help us rethink “late” on God’s terms.

Even now we can be comforted.

We can have another opportunity.

We can forgive and be forgiven.

We can experience a miracle.

Even now.

Martha held on tight to “But I know” and turned it into a prayer. I pray you and I will hold onto what we know about Jesus too. It keeps us from being leveled by life’s challenges and helps us find hope for the heart and joy to the soul.