"Misconstrued"

 "The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there." (John 11:31 KJV)

  "Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." (Romans 5:1-5 NLT)

 Something to think about, as we ponder where we might stand with God! As Paul points out, it is our faith that takes us to that place, not because of anything we have done, but because Christ has established that place of undeserved privilege, by the washing away of our sins. Therefore, judgment for sin is not something we need to be concerned about, because those sins are gone; trials and problems are looked upon as lessons and correction, not punishment! 

 Yes, I know, sometimes I can be such a Knucklehead! You would think by now I would have quit trying to figure out what it is I have been doing wrong, and start looking for that which I need to be paying attention to, like the lessons and changes God is working into my life. He loves me and is always working things out for the good! Why do I keep forgetting that?  

 As this portion of Scripture unfolds, this is the opening to something that God is working out! Yes, the Jews that followed Mary are saying that they are concerned where she is going, therefore they are going to follow her to comfort her as she mourns at the grave. But God has something way more practical and interesting going on; something to fortify those that hate Jesus, to cause them to set out to have Him killed. 

 Having known the story, we shouldn't be surprised or concerned by the outcome, because it is all God's plan; and God's plans are always for the good! No matter how bad things might look, God's ways are always for the good! 

 There is the proof, if you want to know more about how it looks when God turns tragedy into triumph! We can see it portrayed in the situation here, as Lazarus is officially dead; four days makes it official: but not with God! 

 Oh, what joy we get to have, even when things happening in our lives don't appear to be pleasant...

"When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, "Who can know the LORD'S thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?" But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:13-16 NLT)