God's Plan Through Adversity

The Uncommon Glory: God's Plan Through Adversity

When Jesus said plainly, "Lazarus is dead," He was speaking of Lazarus's death, yet earlier He had said, "This sickness is not unto death but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified through it" (John 11:4). This statement reveals a profound truth about God's glory. The glory Jesus speaks of is not common; it is a unique, uncommon glory that often manifests through adversity.

To understand this kind of glory, we must recognize that it often comes with a condition. Jesus knew that Lazarus’s sickness would lead to God’s glory. He revealed a profound truth: if this sickness is for God’s glory, and Jesus will be glorified through it, then Jesus is God. Only God can be glorified by God's glory. This incident was an opportunity for Jesus to demonstrate His divinity.

Jesus saw Lazarus’s death as an opportunity, not a tragedy. What seems like a crisis to us is an opportunity for God's glory. Jesus knew Lazarus's sickness was not unto death in the ultimate sense. Although Lazarus did die, Jesus would raise him, showing that death was not the end. This is a powerful reminder that our current problems are not the end of our story. Jesus’s gladness over Lazarus’s death was not callous;

This theme of God’s glory manifesting through adversity is consistent in the Bible. In John 9, Jesus explains that a man was born blind so that "the works of God should be made manifest in him" (John 9:3). The blindness was not a punishment but an opportunity for God’s power to be displayed through healing.

At times, what we perceive as problems are seen differently in the divine realm. What we call sickness or death, God may call an opportunity for His glory. Joseph's story echoes this truth when he says, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20). Our challenges can be converted into testimonies of God’s power and grace.

Lazarus's resurrection became a living testament to Jesus's power. People came to believe in Jesus because of what He did for Lazarus. Similarly, our lives can become powerful testimonies when God intervenes. Our problems are not just obstacles but potential platforms for God’s glory. Jesus's miracles, including raising Lazarus, were not just acts of compassion but strategic demonstrations of His divine nature.

Sometimes, God allows problems to persist to maximize the impact of His intervention. Goliath grew to be a formidable giant to showcase David's victory as a divine triumph. Similarly, prolonged challenges in our lives might be preparing us for a greater testimony.

Imagine the transformation when Lazarus emerged from the grave. His life became a living sermon, showcasing God’s resurrection power. Your current problems can similarly be transformed into a testament to God’s glory. When God intervenes, your life will inspire faith in others, turning your trials into triumphs.

Jesus's approach to Lazarus’s death teaches us that our stories are not defined by our current struggles. Instead, they are opportunities for God’s glory. Trust that your challenges are not the end but a prelude to a greater demonstration of God’s power. Let your life, like Lazarus’s, be a testament to the world of God’s glory and transformative power. This is God's plan for us – to turn our adversities into avenues for His glory.

A Shift in Perspective

The word encourages us to see our problems differently. There might come a point where a seemingly negative situation transforms into a demonstration of God's glory. This understanding can bring comfort and hope during difficult times.