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No matter what comes, we can trust that God is the one in charge
Read John 11:1-45
"So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.' When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him go' " (John 11:41-44).
What Does This Scripture Mean for Us?
Yesterday, our pastor preached on this Gospel reading of the day. In his discussion of the pain and suffering surrounding Lazarus' death, followed by the miracle of his restoration, the pastor emphasized something a little different than I've heard before: He spoke not so much of Jesus' power and glory here, nor of the compassion his act showed for Lazarus and his sisters. Instead, he pointed out that this was part of a "bigger picture."
That big picture related to such issues as pain, suffering, and even death, is this, the pastor suggested: God's master plan in building the Kingdom of God. I was struck by this comment by the pastor especially (even wrote it down to share with you): "God isn't in the business of making us happy. He is in the business of building his kingdom."
When those terrible trials or the pain of life come along, I hope you'll see that as comfort, just as I did: No matter what, no matter how it hurts, we can be confident that God is using any and every circumstance in our lives to build his kingdom.
We just have to keep on trusting him, no matter what!
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