"Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40)

Martha believed that if Jesus had come to heal her brother, he would not have died.  News that Lazarus was sick had reached Jesus in time to heal him.  But Jesus knew that waiting would glorify God, and would help others to believe in him, when he brought Lazarus back to life.Martha's sentiment resonates with all of us who have ever asked, "Where were you when I needed you, Lord?"  Suffering is the space between our need and God's response.  The only thing that keeps that space from overwhelming us is faith."I am the resurrection and the life," Jesus assured Martha, before raising Lazarus to life.  "He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." (John 11:25)Prayer:  Jesus, everything was thrown into confusion when you died.  Such suffering - your hours of agony on the Cross, the grief and disorientation of your disciples in that span of time between your death and Resurrection.   You pointed Martha to the promise of eternal deliverance in you, and even in her grief she believed.   Help us also Lord, in this time of suffering and confusion.  Strengthen our faith in you, as we focus our attention on your very great sacrifice - God's loving response to our need - which has given us the promise of eternal life with you.  Help us to cling to your promises, even as we remember that it was our sins that you died for.