John 11:21-23 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

I know how Martha felt. So do many others. Jesus came for Lazarus to raise him from the dead. It didn’t have to be that way. The only reason Lazarus died was for the glory of God. There was no other reason.

Now let us ask the hard question. How is God glorified in the death of our loved ones? Watching helplessly, desperate for healing, pained to tears, crying out to God for help, how is God glorified?

I don’t like the answer but I know it.

John 11:9-10 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

This is what Jesus said just as He left to raise Lazarus. There was no reason to speak these words, but He did.

Will we walk in the darkness thru these times or will we walk in the light? Will we allow the shadow of death to consume us or will be glorify God, no matter the outcome.

We all pray for a different outcome. Being swallowed up by this darkness which surrounds us will not help our loved ones. I doubt that our loved ones would want us to be consumed either.

John 11:19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

What did these people see, faith that failed the sisters, or faith that still glorified God?

What will those who see me discover during this night?

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Yesterday I left you with a question. That question is answered here in 1 Corinthians 13. What does the requirements of covenant faith have to do with charity? Charity here in the Greek is agape or love feast, literally an endless supply of love. Given that all the other types of love are limited, selfish and conditional, this agape love, one obtained through this faith covenant, is supplied by God Himself.

As this is a comparative between those words in Deuteronomy 15 about lending and forgiveness, it is time to connect the issues between lending and charitable giving. Let us point out the obvious difference first.

Lending has an expectation of receiving back what has been lent. Agape does not. 1 Corinthians 13:5

Forgiveness is only shown to those in covenant relationship. Agape forgives everyone. 1 Corinthians 13:7

Covenant lending does not protect anyone from sinning. Agape does. 1 Corinthians 13:6

Covenant lending does not address salvation. Agape does. 1 Corinthians 13:12

1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

Read “end of commandment” to mean the goal, a finished product, a level of conversion which is likened to the character and qualities of Christ Himself. Being transformed and conformed is not instant but rather takes a lifetime of living by faith. In this God is gracious and merciful to keep us and protect us throughout the process. Things that were not given to covenant lenders.