What is your favorite season of the year? If you’re male, you might say football season or baseball season. I must say I enjoy those, but I am a fan of spring, summer, winter, and fall. I love seeing things change from season to season. Summer burns bright and then colors begin to change along with the temperatures as summer spills into fall. Winter is cold and everything looks dead, and then spring spurs forth new life. Things that looked dead spring to life.
When spring arrives, I can’t help but think of two scriptures. Ezekiel 37 where Ezekiel prophesied life to dead bones and John 11:43 when Jesus calls out to Lazarus who is dead and buried in the tomb “Lazarus, come out!”
Both of these scriptures speak of impossible things that should not happen. Dead men walking out of their graves is not your common every day occurrence; however, “nothing is impossible with God.” [Luke 1:37] for those who believe. He doesn’t live by the same limitations we do, praise God!
Isaiah 46:10, 11b says “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.” God does what He says He is going to do and He can do whatever He pleases.
Are you in a season of life right now that seems more like winter than springtime? Do things feel dead or do you feel there’s no hope? John 10:10 clearly demonstrates the source of your hopelessness and despair. The enemy’s soul purpose in your life is to “kill, steal, and destroy” but the Lord’s plan for you is abundant life. Is that what you’re living right now? If not, begin to ask Him to show you why.
The Lord uses hard times to draw us closer to Himself and teach us. However, sometimes, we remain in a state of death because we are not doing our part. The Lord called Lazarus out of the grave, but in order to experience life, he had to obey the Lord. He had to walk out and take off the trappings of death that bound him, just as the Lord directed. Are you listening to the Lord’s directions and following them?
Jeremiah 29:11 promises what the Lord plans for you and His Word confirms His purposes will stand “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” It’s time to listen and do what you’re told. There’s life to be lived, so “Come out!”