READNG: Genesis 27-28, John 11
God never stops giving life to the world. Just as he did at creation, God takes things that are seen as nothing, as dead, as even ugly or wrong and turns them into a life-bearing source. He shows that he is completely the Author of our world. Even if we mess things up, he can choose to go take those mistakes and transform them into something that speaks about him, all for his glory, so more people may come to know him and know his love.
Jacob did not deserve the birthright. He did not deserve the blessing from his father. He cheated on both of them and caused pain to his brother. He made mistakes. But through those mistakes God still chose to bring mighty generations of people forward. God demonstrated that a man's sin and limitations does not equal limitations for God. Whatever he has set apart he will see through.
Lazarus, on the other hand, was actually physically dead. He had a very real and present physical limitation. So God as Jesus brought him out of that death and back to living. And through that miracle many people came to believe in Jesus. He set Lazarus apart to bring life not only to Lazarus himself but to many unbelievers who needed to know the truth.
If we suffer, if we mess up, if we experience things that demonstrate our limitations, but we believe in God as creator and life-giver, we can rest assured that he will see those things through to a greater cause, a life-giving purpose.
God never stops giving life to the world. Just as he did at creation, God takes things that are seen as nothing, as dead, as even ugly or wrong and turns them into a life-bearing source. He shows that he is completely the Author of our world. Even if we mess things up, he can choose to go take those mistakes and transform them into something that speaks about him, all for his glory, so more people may come to know him and know his love.
Jacob did not deserve the birthright. He did not deserve the blessing from his father. He cheated on both of them and caused pain to his brother. He made mistakes. But through those mistakes God still chose to bring mighty generations of people forward. God demonstrated that a man's sin and limitations does not equal limitations for God. Whatever he has set apart he will see through.
Lazarus, on the other hand, was actually physically dead. He had a very real and present physical limitation. So God as Jesus brought him out of that death and back to living. And through that miracle many people came to believe in Jesus. He set Lazarus apart to bring life not only to Lazarus himself but to many unbelievers who needed to know the truth.
If we suffer, if we mess up, if we experience things that demonstrate our limitations, but we believe in God as creator and life-giver, we can rest assured that he will see those things through to a greater cause, a life-giving purpose.