Reviving

"Then Elisha died and was buried. Groups of Moabite raiders used to invade the land each spring. Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the body they were burying into the tomb of Elisha. But as soon as the body touched Elisha's bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet!" II Kings 13:20-21

I love words like refresh, revive, restore and renew. Just to say them sparks life. I love driving at sunset, windows down and radio up. The colors of the sky, the wind in my face, the melodies of the songs allow me for a few short minutes to take a deep breath. I gain perspective. God rules. When all is said and done, his purposes and his plans will be accomplished. In those thoughts, my anxieties and worries dissipate and peace comes.

The story today is wild illustration of the life giving power of God. God chooses in a dramatic way to remind the people of Israel that he rules over everything, including life and death. A corpse is hurriedly tossed in the prophet's tomb. It hits the bones and God returns the spirit. God wanted them and us to know, death isn't the end of the story and God is more than capable of reviving a dead life.

Where are you in the spectrum of living these days. Mostly dead? Thriving? Checking off days? Celebrating victories? God's intent is for us to live large. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, he doesn't immediately take us to heaven. Why? Simply put, we still have some living to do here on earth. You matter. Your life counts. Even if the world casts you aside like a corpse, God says, "Live!"

Grace and Peace,

Tom
Location: United States

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