From Grave To Glory

Beloved do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's suffering, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. - 1 Peter 4:12-13.

It is common knowledge that ever living person detests the grave, but everybody desires God's glory. The grave is a picture of the lowest place you could ever be at, while God's glory is the picture of the highest place you could ever find yourself. From grave to glory means from the lowest point in life to the highest point. If you are at the most discouraging point of your life, God can take you out of that point and transpose you to the highest level. Though the grave looks like a permanent position of hopelessness, God is able to change it.

Lazarus' story tells us the possibility of this glorious transformation from grave to glory. "Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Marth" (John 11:1). Lazarus eventually died and was laid in a grave. Jesus had been sent for while he was sick. But by God's design, Jesus got there four days later after Lazarus had been buried. He went to the grave where Lazarus was laid and said, "Take away the stone." But Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said to Jesus, "Lord by this time he stinks, for he had been dead four days. (John 11:39).

From this passage, we can see that a friend of Jesus, Lazarus, was in the grave. Jesus saw the sorrow, sadness, predicament and agony of Martha and Mary. Lazarus was helpless. His condition was hopeless and impossible in human terms. He had been dead for four days and laid in the grave. His relatives had lost all hope, but Jesus did not see Lazarus as one who would permanently remain in the grave.

The Danger of The Grave
The scriptural situation, by interpretation and pratical illustration, speaks to every person. We all have our grave experiences. We, occasionally or at certain times througout our lifetime, live wit the danger of the grave. Extreme case of poverty and lack of money, no job, no basic daily meals, no clothing and perhaps no shelter are more or less 'grave' experiences.

At times, a marriage may find itself in a 'grave' experience. It could become so irreparably bad that the neighbours may even begin saying, "Do not have the hope that your marriage will work out."

In other instances, a whole family could be undergoing a 'grave' experience, family may be enmeshed in a curse which they struggle with for generations could be a curse of premature death. abject devil-directed poverty, accidental death, childlessness or lack of progress in life affairs and endeavours. Such a family may struggle ceaselessly for generations to be free yet they may still remain under that curse and could even get entangled further in it. These are the dangers of the grave.
Are you going through a grave experience? Look up now for your salvation is near and the Lord will translate you to glory in Jesus' name.

- Daniel O.C