Matthew 28:6a – He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
1 Peter 2:24-25 – “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Isaiah 53 (11,12c) – After He has suffered, He will see the light of life and be satisfied: by His knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Some have panicked. Some cannot sleep wondering what will happen. But we, we who know Him, know there was a day when His disciples had worse days. They had a fear for their lives hanging over their heads, but that was only a small cul-de-sac to worry within. Their main worry was what to do with the hope they had come to cherish. What had become of the One that gave it to them? They saw Him die and then, with tear streaked faces and hearts so heavy they thought they would drop from them and fall to the ground, they had slunk away,. Oh they hurt. They felt like there was no hope. That night they cried to each other and continued to cry in their beds. Their minds raced “What now? Oh no, what now?” The next day they could not eat. Looking at each other only reminded them of what they thought they had lost. All of them had broken hearts and no-one had the salve to heal their hearts. That day was the longest and most dreadful of their lives. They went to bed wondering if they could sleep. After the brutal hurt of the last days they succumbed to sleep, but their sleep was not deep and it was not untroubled. Then, in the morning, came the news that was beyond belief. He had risen! He was alive! He who was their hope was alive again. The comfort, their peace, their hope had returned.
Family and Friends, What is upon us seems, to some, too hard to bear. But us who love the Lord understand that we don’t cling to the world, but to Him, who they clung to. Today is a trial, but peace and joy remain. Today brings fears to many, but many understand that there is nothing to fear, because He who was dead is alive again. The enemy, the hater of our souls, wants us to focus on the world, but let us be wise. Why look at gloom when we have received the hope of all generations. Let’s look at life, and not death. Let’s look at Jesus and not the world. (2 Corinthians 4:18) No need to worry, Jesus has “got this!” Jesus has “got us!” No worries. Joy unceasing. Peace unending. Our circumstances have not changed since before “these days.” Before these days came upon us, now, and in future days, we remain in the exact same circumstances. We rest in Jesus who is our Savior and our Hope. Yes, we remain in the rest given by Jesus and that to the glory of Jesus and what He has done! Praise God
Hope For Tomorrow
Horror oh horror, oh the screams!
Agony yells out with abandon,
Women bend over and scream with no restraint!
Even children know the horror.
Men groan and fear what has been wrought.
In anger and revolt the earth roars and shakes,
Thunder and lightning unveil the vulgarity,
Winds rush and push the stench into nostrils!
Animals lift their voice to join the pain in the air.
Despair is thick smoke that burns the eyes and chokes the lungs.
Dreams are dashed and hope seems hopeless.
It is Friday.
A night with no sleep followed.
Fatigue and confusion accompanied by being numb.
Crying remains and is interrupted by memories.
A question of the possible hopelessness of the past.
Dreams of a bright future cannot be found.
Roads seem washed away.
Joy has become sorrow and spirits are retching.
What will happen next?
What shall be done?
Who will be looked upon?
Given answers are not remembered.
It is Saturday.
Morning has come, questions remain.
Another sleepless night filled with death of heart.
What does this day bring?
Sunlight comes and with it good news,
Can it be believed?
It is true! It is true!
Hope and joy are alive!
Stunning laughter replaces tears,
Miraculously the impossible makes sense,
The horror is changed to victory!
Victory brings freedom,
Chains are broken and fear is no more!
Washed away is the shame and sorrow,
Oh the joy! Oh the peace! Oh the wonder!
All is well, all is perfect.
It is Sunday.
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”