Resurrection Hope Begins Now - Your Nightly Prayer - March 28th
Resurrection Hope Begins Now
Your Nightly Prayer
By Shea Smith
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“In their fright, the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee.” Luke 24:5–6
SOMETHING TO PONDER
I can’t get past the first three words: “in their fright.” I try to imagine what that moment was actually like for the women (Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the Mother of James, and other women with them). They had lovingly prepared spices for Jesus’ body, and when they went to the tomb, they found the stone rolled away and his body gone. Maybe panic started to set in? Where was their Lord?
Just as they started to question, two men suddenly appeared wearing clothes that gleamed like lightning. Ok, now I get their fright! Completely valid!
The men quickly assured the women the best news to their ears, and to our ears today: Jesus has risen! But I have to wonder–did the message from the men calm their fear? Was hope and grief, awe and panic all jumbled together? Fear was there before they remembered Jesus’ words. And then they remembered His words: “‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” What Jesus said was true. It happened. He. Is. Alive! Did relief wash over, replacing every ounce of fear with hope and joy? I have to imagine so.
The women in our story were carrying spices, which tells us they were expecting death, not a miracle. And yet, in the middle of their darkest hour, the Lord’s faithfulness to His word changed everything. Hope replaces fear. I can’t help but think of all those walking through a season of grief, loss, or waiting. Maybe you’re walking in the dark, one step at a time, expecting another closed door, another no, or not yet. Is fear overwhelming you? Maybe hope is fragile. Maybe faith feels foolish. If your heart is tender and trust feels raw, it’s time to remember Jesus is true to His word.
Isaiah 40:31 declares, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” Psalm 130:5 says, “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” And finally, 1 Peter 1:3 writes, “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Can we pause here for a second? Hope in anything but the Lord is futile, but hope in the Lord gives strength. Pure hope is tied to His word. Our living hope comes from Jesus being true to His word–raised from the dead!
So tonight, if fear and hope are intertwined with uncertainty and heaviness, take comfort in the beginning and end of the story. Though Easter begins in the dark, light has come! Tonight, we rejoice in the living Christ, who brings resurrection hope to every heart!
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Jesus,
Forgive me for placing my hope in circumstances in my own limited understanding. I need a fresh perspective of your resurrection power to anchor my hope in. When darkness starts to overshadow, burst your truth in my heart. May my mind dwell on your promises and halt fear in the name of Jesus. Thank you, God, for being true to your word. You are so good! In Jesus' name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Anchoring hope in a circumstance or feeling is misplaced hope. Ask the Lord, “Where in my life have I misplaced my hope?”
2. Is fear stopping you in your tracks? What truth do you need to remind your soul of?
3. Tonight, thank Him for the gift of His faithfulness to His word. Jesus does what He says He’s going to do!
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Wanlaya Thipayaso
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