John 10:10 – The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

I love that God keeps us safe…though sometimes not in the way I expect.

Last year, we went through a series at my church on Wednesday nights called “Deep Dive to Revive.” We slowly walked verse by verse through John, and it was so good, like, really sitting in the Word instead of rushing past it.

One night, we were reading about Lazarus. It’s a story I’ve heard and read…oh, probably a hundred times. But this time, something caught me off guard.

After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, they tried to kill him again.

What in the world? Leave this man alone. He’s already been dead once.

Then our pastor asked, “Why do you think they tried to kill Lazarus?”

It sat there for a minute, and then it clicked. If Lazarus is walking around alive, then so is the proof. Proof that death doesn’t get the final word. Proof that what God restores is real. And if you can silence the evidence, maybe you can make people question the miracle.

Because hasn’t life at times felt like that for you too? You finally step into something beautiful—an answered prayer, a restored relationship, or a healing you’ve begged God for—and then something happens that makes it feel like it might not last after all.

And your first instinct is to look inward: Did I mess this up? Did I do something wrong?

But that’s not how God works. He brings life—full, abundant, unmistakable life. And the enemy can’t erase God’s work. If he can shake your confidence, though, he can steal your hope.

That’s not new. It’s the same old story.

And yet, God’s goodness isn’t temporary or fading, even when everything around you feels uncertain. So, when those familiar feelings of doubt and fear show up again, I encourage you, don’t panic. You’ve seen this before.

Instead of shrinking back, let yourself remember all the ways God has already brought life where there wasn’t any. Remind yourself long enough to trust that what God brings to life, He will not abandon.

Because while the enemy still wants to steal, kill, and destroy, Jesus is still giving life—and life more abundantly.

 

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A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• Have you ever experienced a time when God answered a prayer or restored something you thought was lost?
• After God moved in your life, did doubt or fear ever make you question whether it would last?
• Why do you think Lazarus became such powerful evidence of God’s power after Jesus raised him from the dead?
• What are some ways the enemy tries to steal your confidence in what God has already done?
• When you face uncertainty, do you tend to focus more on your circumstances or on God’s faithfulness?
• What “proof” of God’s goodness and provision can you look back on today?
• Is there an area of your life where you need to stop asking, “Did I mess this up?” and start trusting God’s work?
• How can remembering past victories help strengthen your faith in your current season?
• What does Jesus’ promise of “life more abundantly” mean to you personally?
• This week, what is one specific way you can remind yourself that what God brings to life, He will not abandon?