The religious leader was confident that Jesus could raise his dead daughter to life (Matthew 9:18). But Jesus was delayed arriving at his home where the girl was laid out on her bed. When they arrived, they were greeted by a wailing crowd of mourners outside the house. They had seen the girl's body: she was dead. So when Jesus said that she was asleep, they ridiculed him.

But Jesus rebuked them. He sent them away because they had no part to play. Their disbelief was in sharp contrast to the father's faith. Jesus went inside the house, accompanied by Peter, James, John and the girl's parents (Mark 5:37-40). It was clear to everyone (believing and faithless) that Jesus was the Master who was in command of the situation. The faithless and the faithful were separated as Jesus showed his mastery over death.

It was simple. He took her hand and gently told the twelve year old girl to get up (Mark 5:41). And she did! The once-dead girl was alive and walking around. She must have given the unbelieving mourners quite a shock. But as you can imagine, the news spread quickly so that everybody knew that Jesus had brought a dead person back to life. Even the faithless had to admit they were wrong.

God does not have to prove Himself to anybody, but He rewards those who put their trust in Him. When God acts, it is obviously special. His interventions are outside the normal processes or timings of things. The idea of divine action is nonsense to the unbeliever, but part of the ongoing relationship believers should have with their God. When we ask the Lord to be involved with us in our situation, he knows our faith and will do whatever is needed for His glory to be seen and His people to be satisfied. Trust Him today. He will always meet the prayer of faith with his power at the right time.