RISE

God raises people to new life.  He selected the Hebrew people, homeless and enslaved in Egypt, as His own - establishing them in their own land.  God took the prophet, Ezekiel, to a valley full of bones and asked him, "Can these bones live?" Upon hearing the Word of the Lord, the bones were raised to life.  Jesus, God's own son, went through burial in order to conquer death through resurrection.  God gives rise to people and situations, that apart from Him, would have no hope.

Why does God bother with the down trodden, the exhausted, the weak, the broken, the hopeless, the discouraged, the mistake-ridden, or the sick?  For two reasons: First, God is life.  His nature is the complete opposite of brokenness and death and all the struggles of this world.  He is in a perpetual state of life-giving power - never contradicting His nature.  God innately orients Himself to those in dire need.

And secondly, God's power and glory shines the brightest where it is most needed. All are invited to bask in the greatness of God, for all have equal need of it, but some experience His power in a more demonstrative way.  God, though not filled with human emotions, just seems to delight in orchestrating a good, old-fashion, under-dog story.  God uniquely receives all the glory when He turns nothing into something.

Over the span of 52 days, Nehemiah and the people witnessed God's ability to raise up new life. They worked, with His "gracious hand of favor" upon them, day and night to see the wall of Jerusalem rise from its rubble.  The rising of the wall was more than symbolic.  It was real accomplishment and protection from their enemies.  The opposing people that surrounded Jerusalem were in awe of what God had done.  It was His wall.

Scripture, in describing God's disposition towards us, uses the word "jealous."  It's an awkward word choice because of its negative connotation.  But the Holy Spirit inspired its use to capture the intensity of God's Love for us.  God raises us up to be His possession in total surrender to His Lordship.  And it is in that sweet spot that we discover something important.  The same life-giving power that raised us is available daily to sustain us.  God is not a one-hit-wonder.  He is in perpetual motion, abounding in mercy, grace, and power on behalf of His creation.

Why be down when you were created to be risen?

Ex nihilo,


R.J. Rhoden