_Now_ a befitting opportunity occurred in the case of their friend Lazarus to read the needed lesson. "I was glad for your sakes, ... to the intent ye might believe."
Would that we could feel as believers more than we do--that the dealings of our God are for the strengthening of our faith, and the enlivening and invigorating of our spiritual graces. Let us seek to accept more simply in dark dealings the Saviour's explanation, "It is for _your_ sake!" He gives us a blank for our every trial, indorsing it with His own gracious word, "This, _this_ is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified thereby."
The words of Martha, then, surely teach as their great lesson, never to be hasty in our surmises and conclusions regarding God's ways.
"Lord! IF Thou _hadst_ been here?" Could she question for a moment that that loving eye of Omniscience had all the while been scanning that sick-chamber--marking every throb in that fevered brow--and every tear that fell unbidden from the eyes that watched his pillow?
"Lord! _if_ Thou hadst been here?" Could she question His ability, had He so willed it, to prevent the bereavement altogether--to put an arrest on the hand of death ere the bow was strung?
O faithless disciple, wherefore didst thou doubt? But thou art ere long to learn what each of us will learn out in eternity, that "_all_ things are for our sakes, that the abundant grace might, through the thanksgiving of many, redound _to the glory of God_."
But the momentary cloud has passed. Faith breaks through. The murmur of upbraiding has died away. He who listens makes allowance for an anguished heart. The glance of tender sympathy and gentleness which met Martha's eye, at once hushes all remains of unbelief. Words of exulting confidence immediately succeed. "But I know that even now whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it Thee."
What is this, but that which every believer exults in to this hour, as the sheet-anchor of hope and peace and comfort, when tossed on a tempestuous sea--a gracious confidence in the ability and willingness of Christ to save. The Friend of Bethany is still the Friend in Heaven. To Him "all power has been committed;" "as a prince He has power with God, and must prevail."