Hebrews 11:19, “He considered the fact that God is able to
raise someone from the dead—and figuratively speaking, he did receive him
back.”
Restore
Time and time again, Jesus asked, or implied the need to
believe in Him so that a healing could take place. At Nazareth, in His
hometown, He “could do no miracle”
and “He wondered at their unbelief.”
Another desperate father heard Jesus’ words, but recognized his own doubts so
he brought them in prayer as, “I do
believe; help my unbelief.”
Abraham believed. He had no idea how. No concept of what
would happen in the next few moments or weeks or years, but he did know God’s
faithfulness and so he trusted in his belief. Even to letting go of a promise
he had clung to for his whole life. A promise God Himself had given. A promise
that if taken would result in loss and anguish beyond all measure.
We learn, often reluctantly, to learn to let go of
situations and attitudes that are harmful to us. And sometimes we are able to
loosen our grip on what is good in our lives for something better. But after an
entire lifetime of obedience—to be asked to give up the very blessing from
God—perhaps one we uprooted our entire lives for?
In Jesus’ parable a single grain of wheat must be dropped
into the earth and die in order to multiply. (John 12:20-26) In reference to
this image, Herbert Lockyer comments, “Out
of death comes life. A harvest comes from a grain. Jesus used this analogy of a
natural law to illustrate what happens in the moral and spiritual worlds
alike.”
Oh Lord, only You alone can restore life from loss.
Sometimes the pain is so great that a shadow remains forever. Yet with You, all
things are possible. Help us to live in resurrection reality.
Your thoughts,
