My God is a Way-Maker Pt 1: Resurrection

It’s April already! Whew! Where did winter go? And spring has sprung with a vengeance. Even as I write this that vengeance is taking its toll on me in the form of ALLERGIES. But I know this discomfort will not last forever, despite its current, agonizing, irritating, and frustrating state.

Sounds a bit like life. A harsh season, though it leaves its marks, doesn’t last a lifetime. There is a beginning and an end to everything. And thanks be to our God, Jehovah, there are new beginnings when all we see is the END!

The Bible has many accounts of resurrection. Some already past and some yet to come. Most often when we think of resurrection, we think of physical bodies coming back to life, but it goes so far beyond that. The word resurrect has several meanings:

• to raise (a dead person) from the dead
• to bring to life again
• to revive the practice, use, or memory (of something)
• to bring new vigor to

So not only does it refer to renewed “life” in a once dead body, it also refers to renewed “life” in dreams, situations, relationships, and lives (in terms of the way or manner a person lives their life) that seemed “dead” or far-gone.

I also noticed that the word resurrect is a verb, meaning it speaks of action. This seemed sort of strange to me as I really thought about it. I mean how is there action from something that is considered “action-less” or lifeless.

And it hit me!

God is always doing something (Psalm 68:19, Lamentations 3:22-23, Philippians 1:6, John 5:17). We know from scripture that the LORD does not sleep (Psalm 121:4). Also we know that He is ever watchful (Genesis 16:13, Deuteronomy 11:12, Proverbs 5:21, Proverbs 15:3, Jeremiah 1:12).

“For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth so that He may support those whose heart is completely His.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)

So just because we see something as “dead” or “lifeless” doesn’t mean that it is void of “action.”

I really hope someone is following this.

The example that shines out to me the most is from the Book of Ruth. A story we tend to label as a teaching on redemption, faith, and hope, but it is also a story of resurrection.

For anyone unfamiliar with the Book of Ruth, I urge you to read it before moving any further. The book is only 4 chapters long, a short but great read. Go ahead. I’ll wait……………………………………………………..

It’s so awesome, isn’t it? It has to be one of my favorite Bible stories. And it’s so relatable.

Alright, back to RESURRECTION.

The story starts off with a brief description of Naomi’s life. Brief, but oh so heartbreaking. I’m am certain it didn’t seem brief to her. As a matter of fact, it probably seemed endless, hopeless, maybe even “dead.”

This poor woman lost everything. Her homeland, her husband, her sons, her security, her peace, her joy. Here she finds herself in a foreign land burdened with the care of two newly widowed daughters-in-law, she herself widowed and without a fruitful future. Think about it? She cannot have anymore children at her age, even if she were to meet someone and remarry. Her daughters-in-law were barren, so no grandkids came from her sons. And as a widowed woman in those days with no sons, the land that had belonged to her family was no longer considered hers. So now she’s homeless and without a means to care for herself. No wonder she wanted to change her name from Naomi (which means “pleasantness”) to Mara (which means “bitter” or “sorrow”).

Oh Mara, Mara, Mara.

If there was ever an excuse to throw a pity party, she had one. How often do we feel like this? That all of our dreams, our plans, our lives are lifeless. That they all have died and there’s no way to bring them back.

That is the perfect setting for a RESURRECTION. And how is that?

I would rather say “WHO is that?”

Who is our Resurrector? The One who makes all things new? The One who gives life?

There is only One. And He is THE One. The LORD God Almighty Himself, Jehovah!

You see, throughout all of Naomi’s troubles, God had a plan. Now, Naomi didn’t know this plan, so she’s going around thinking that God has left her and forsaken her, and that He is punishing her for some past wrong she did……. Sound familiar?

How often do we follow this line of thinking while in the middle of hardship?

We wonder:

 “Where is God in all of this?”

“What good can come from this disaster?”

“God! Why have You forsaken me?”

We as imperfect human beings are not privy to the whole God-formed plan of our own lives. The LORD tells us “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

We are not able to know ALL that God knows, or understand ALL of His ways. He alone is able, therefore He alone is privy to that knowledge.

But we have hope and peace in knowing that ALL the plans God has for us are for our good.

“But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present outcome, that many people would be kept alive.” (Genesis 50:19-20)

“I know that You [God] can do all things, And that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained.” (Job 42:2)

“A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.” (Proverbs 16:9)

“Many plans are in a man’s mind, But it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out).” (Proverbs 19:21)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]” (Jeremiah 1:5)

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

“And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers. And those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified [declared free of the guilt of sin]; and those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity].” (Romans 8:28-30)

Now does that mean we are always walking according to God’s plan? Of course not. Often we get ourselves into situations of our own making or because we live in an evil world people with wicked hearts do unimaginable evils that affect our lives.

But none of that is beyond God’s hand of Salvation, Redemption, and Resurrection!

Consider the story of Naomi. Her and her family left their native land of Judah (born and raised Israelites) and moved to the pagan land of Moab (the descendants of Lot’s incestuous foray with one of his daughters), therefore they walked away from the hand of God. They thought they could “do it on their own” in this pagan land. After all, if God was with the Israelites then why were they in the middle of a famine?

How often do we do this? The current surroundings get too hard, too dry, too messy, too uncomfortable, so we move on to what we think are “greener pastures,” only to find that things are not any better there. But its too late because you’ve poured your time, resources, energy, and hope into this “troubling” place.

*Just a side note:  I remember reading a blog where the writer was talking about “Greener Pastures.” And he made a very astute comment. He said that often when we look over the neighbor’s fence and see greener grass, we think we want what they have or we try to do what they are doing to get the same results, but it all boils down to the fact that the green grass we saw was planted right on top of the sewage tank. Not so glamourous! Stay where you are planted and only move when the LORD says to move.

But with God, it’s not too late to turn back and go home!

After having lost everything, Naomi decides it’s time to go back home. After all, the famine was gone and someone there may show great mercy on her and help her.

Oh if only she knew!!!!

In a move that seems almost harsh, Naomi deters her Moabite daughters-in-law from following her. She turns to them and tells them every reason why they should stay in Moab. After all, what does she have to offer them? Her life is dead.

But Ruth (I love that!), but Ruth remains steadfast. She cares greatly for Naomi, far above and beyond a daughter-in-law. She wants to care for Naomi and have a fresh start with her. In perhaps one of the boldest and most heartwarming declarations, Ruth states that she’s going with Naomi whether Naomi likes it or not because she is determined to serve the God of the Naomi’s people (Ruth 1:16-17)

And I feel like that was the first heartbeat of Naomi’s resurrected life. It may have seemed faint. Naomi may not have noticed the significance of it, but it was MIGHTY! God was breathing life and Naomi AND Ruth were His targets!

Soon the LORD reveals Boaz, to be later known as the Kinsman Redeemer, a type and shadow of Christ. And suddenly a life that seemed dead and fruitless was resurrected and fruitful!

Unbeknownst to Naomi, her “dead” situation would lead to the eventual birth of “THE Resurrection and THE Life” (John 11:25).

Jesus would come from the lineage of Ruth and Boaz, who thanks to Naomi, met, married, and conceived a child named Obed. Obed was to be the grandfather of King David, whom we know is the ancestor of Jesus Christ.

The women in the village speak over Naomi after the birth of Obed, saying “Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer (grandson, as heir) today, and may his name become famous in Israel. May he also be to you one who restores life and sustains your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” (Ruth 4:14-15)

Did you see that!?!

The part about restored life?

Yep!!!

That is our GOD! He restores life where there once was death. He alone resurrects our lives. 

He alone is THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE! Thank you Lord Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!!

So perk up my friend. Your life is NOT beyond saving! It may look dead, it may have been lifeless for some time, it may seem impossible to get up and move forward, BUT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! (Genesis 18:9-14, Jeremiah 32:27, Matthew 19:26, Luke 1:37).

Commit your ways to Him! Trust in His plan and seek His will for your life. OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS! (can't forget that) 

Whatever you lose in this life for the sake of following the LORD is nothing compared to what He has in waiting for you in eternity! Choose this day to follow Jesus. Choose this day to trust in Him. Choose this day the Resurrection and the Life! God will not disappoint!

May God bless you!