Confused, yet calm—because our Savior never ceases to intercede on our behalf. Confused, yet calm—because our Lord always asks for what is good and loving. Confused, yet calm—because in the Lord’s wisdom, He sovereignly allows only that which will shine His glory most bright. Confused, yet calm—because our Father’s ways are unsearchable and unfathomable. Confused, yet calm—because “to Him be the glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:36).
In the first article in this series, we explored the questions that God’s sovereignty may leave us with. God’s judgments are unsearchable. His ways are unfathomable. Yet this comforting truth can also be confusing. We can be left asking questions like, “why?”, “what if?”, and “how long?” We concluded with the fruit that is harvested in the midst of confusion, namely, spiritual growth.
Let’s resume with an exploration into the ways that faith responds in the midst of uncertainty.
How Does Faith Respond to Confusion?
What does faith look like in the midst of perplexity? How does faith respond after we ask God, “why?” and wonder, “how long?” Martha’s response to Jesus grants us insight to the answer. “Martha…said…‘Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You’” (John 11:22).
On the surface it might seem that Martha was asking, and maybe even expecting, Jesus to resurrect her brother. That was not Martha’s intent. We know based on Martha’s response when Jesus commanded her to remove the stone from Lazarus’ tomb. “Martha…said to Him, ‘Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days’” (John 11:39). Martha was not expecting Jesus to perform a resurrection miracle. She thought Lazarus would resurrect “on the last day” (John 11:24), but not today.
Martha’s statement, “Even now, I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You,” are words of faithful submission—how faith responds—when the clouds of confusion darken a believer’s world.
Faith Finds Confidence in Christ’s Perfect Intercession
First, when confused, faith finds confidence in Christ’s perfect intercession. “Whatever You ask, God will give” (John 11:22, emphasis added).
Though confounded by Jesus’ ways, Martha clung to the intimacy Christ shares with His Father and the interceding care He has for His people. She trusted that the Father always granted His Son’s requests. Whatever Jesus decided to ask on Martha’s behalf, she was sure He would receive it. And this was not just Martha’s opinion. Jesus Himself claimed this same interceding success in v. 42. With full assurance, Jesus said, “I knew that You always hear Me” (John 11:42)—“hear Me” in the sense of always agreeing with My prayers, always granting My petitions.
This is astounding! Every prayer Jesus offers is always heeded by His Father. Every request Jesus makes always comes to fruition. Astounding. This cannot be said about anyone. With everyone else, there is always the potential that sin will hinder their prayers (Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:2; James 4:3).
