dead things

God works in a mysterious way.  That's a line from the old song by William Cowper.

The divine operates so much differently than the human.  If it were me, I would fix things before they worsened.  But God does His work on a scale that we don't usually understand.

He specializes in bringing life to dead things - dry bones, Joseph's dreams, Sarah's womb, Abraham's hopes, Lazarus.  What we believe is impossible is the beginning of His greatest work. Where there is no spark of life remaining, He creates vitality and abundance.

Look at the unrelenting faith of Abraham in the presence of death:

And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.  (Romans 4:19-21)

Abraham's body was dead, so to speak, and Sarah's womb was dead (in regard to childbearing). But that was what God was waiting for. 

Lazarus was dead, physically dead, for four days. But that's when Jesus chose to work.

What is dead in your life?  A relationship? Dreams? Ministry? Hope?

Deadness is of no consequence to God.  He is the Giver of life.  Bring your grief and loss to Him.  Surrender your plan of action. Trust His good will.  Wait on Him.  And watch for His mysterious, life-giving work in you.

"God . . . gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did."
 (Romans 4:17b)