Does God’s silence mean God’s absence?
Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick. Jesus stayed where He was for two more days, and in the meantime Lazarus passed away. Alex Young and Friends wrote “Martha’s Song” from inside that silence. The song was written at the request of a friend, and inspired by John chapter 11. The first line of the song sets the tone: “In my little world, from my point of view, it can seem like God isn’t coming through.” Have you ever prayed hard and heard nothing back?
The lyrics name things like “chronic pain” and “crippling grief.” No neat answer follows, only a question: “What if our sorrow, what if our suffering are part of Your purpose, part of Your story?”
Jesus answers that question in John 11:4: “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” He did not stay away because He didn’t care. He walked to Bethany and stood at the tomb. “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). He wept even though He knew Lazarus would walk out minutes later. Your pain also moves Him.
So bring your real questions to God today. Say them out loud. Name the grief, the diagnosis, the empty chair. Then wait, not with clenched fists, but with open hands.
What is your stone? Maybe it is a hospital room, a broken relationship, or a prayer that feels a decade old. Ask Him to roll it away in His time. The song does exactly that when it asks, “Will You give us hope? Will You give us faith?”
Give “Martha’s Song” a listen. May it give you words when your own words run out. Sing along. Let it remind you that what seems to us to be a delay is never a denial. “That You’re always near and You’re never late.”
(Related scripture: John 11:4; Psalm 34:18; John 11:25)
Background:
Written at the request of a friend, 'Martha's Song' was inspired by John 11 (the death of Lazarus), written from the point of view of Mary and Martha. It's a meditation on questions, confusion, and faith in the midst of suffering.
Release date: October 16, 2026
Connect with Alex Young And Friends
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/alexyoungandfriends
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7yaYK4xAsPMnKGLdJUC1ox
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