Graves into Gardens

 Romans 15:4 says, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." One of the distinct qualities of God's people is that they have hope. God sent His Word to plant that in us. The Bible is more than a book, as it tells us in John 1:1-5. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
 
You may ask, "What is the purpose of the Bible?" I believe that one of the main purposes is to give us revelation of God's nature and character and His desire for relationship with us. His desire for intimacy with us is so great that He used the beginning of the Book to show us our sinful condition and His plans for redemption. Our need for a Savior is why He sent His perfect Son to redeem us. He assures us of His ability to enact His plan of salvation through the stories in the Bible that tell of His loving care and power to overcome the schemes of the enemy, and to set us on the right path for eternal life.
 
A song written by Elevation Worship has inspired me and affirmed my hope in the Lord. It tells us how the world will never satisfy us but that His love overcomes our weaknesses and failures. While it is true that HIs love gives us hope, it is also true that His power is supernatural and changes our surroundings to give us access to God's Kingdom. Let's look at the words to the song, "Graves into Gardens."
 
    "I searched the world, but it couldn't fill me. Man's empty praise and treasures that fade are never          enough.  Then You came along and put me back together, and every desire is now satisfied, here           in Your love.
 
      Chorus: Oh, there's nothing better than You. There's nothing better than You. Lord there's                    nothing, nothing is better than You.
 
     I'm not afraid to show You my weakness. My failures and flaws, Lord You've seen them all, and You       still call me friend. 'Cause the God of the mountain is the God of the valley. There's not a place Your       mercy and grace won't find me again.
 
         Chorus...
 
    Bridge 1:  You turn mourning to dancing. You give beauty for ashes. 
                       You turn shame into glory. You're the only one who can.
 
    Bridge 2:  You turn graves into gardens. You turn bones into armies. 
                      You turn seas into highways. You're the only one who can. You're the only one who can.”
 
God's love for us and its accompanying power operate together to transform our lives. Declaring HIs power and love will change our atmosphere and bring about hope for the present and the future.