In a few more days Christians around the world will celebrate the victory of life over death. We will repeat the angels’ words from that first Easter: He is risen!
Yet the days preceding Easter glory were anything but glorious. Jesus knew his time was short. He was preparing to lay down his life for his friends. Let’s notice how Jesus spent his last hours of freedom before arrest and torture:
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray. . . . Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
(Matthew 26:36, 39 NIV)
For those of us who arrive at Good Friday battered by pain, loss and disappointment, Jesus reveals where our victory begins. The seeds of surrender and victory are sown in humble, powerful prayers.
As heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, we have certain privileges. We have His presence, His promises, and His power. Let that sink in for a moment. In fact, let me say it again:
- We have His presence—His holy, awe- inspiring presence where the fullness of joy is found.
- We have His promises—His faithful, true promises that change every- thing for the Christ-follower.
- And we have His power—the same power that raised Christ from the dead, available to us.
We’re more spiritual than physical, more found than lost, and more loved than we know. Isn’t that just something?
And though we face giants who aim to destroy us, and an enemy who’s always in a bad mood, we serve a joy-filled, patient, kind, and loving Father who always leads us triumphantly through our battles.
We’re on an upward journey to the Holy City. Heaven will be wonderful. No more tears. No more heartache. No more sickness. No more disease. No more loss. Imagine. But we’re not there yet. We’re still here on earth for a reason. And Jesus hasn’t left us ill-equipped or unprepared.
It’s time to reframe our disappointments in light of God’s promises. It’s time to face our battles with courage in light of God’s power. And it’s time to pray with passion and precision because Jesus truly hears us when we pray. He promises that the prayers of His people will accomplish great and powerful things.
Let’s take our stand and declare Jesus’ name over every one of our battles. We will not be shaken. We will not be defeated. We will not be derailed from the kingdom life God has promised us. Every battle we face will serve us well in the end because we serve a God who fights for us. He uses our hardships to teach us what’s true about our inheritance in Him.
And this Warrior King? He loves us beyond anything our minds can comprehend. We’re blessed. We’re loved. We’re victors.
We choose our perspective. We decide if we’re going to worship or whine. We’re the ones who get to embrace faith and courage. And we’re the ones God rewards when it’s all said and done. This battle you’re facing? It’s a perfect opportunity to engage your faith, to develop perseverance, to mature your perspective, and to remember God’s love. Walk forward in faith. You have every reason to trust Him.
This Easter, as you notice the parts of your life that break your heart or that don’t make sense right now, may you dare to stand strong, look up, and consider afresh what God’s resurrection POWER can do in, through, and around you! Only those who’ve walked through the valley of the shadow will truly grasp the power of redemption on the other side. Jesus withholds NO good thing from those who walk intimately with Him.
He’s not the reason you suffer; He’s with you in the storm. He is your Shelter, Deliverer, and Strong Tower. He’s Your Redeemer, Savior, and Friend. He’s your Prince of Peace and Sure Defender. Find your footing again. Engage your faith. Embrace a right perspective. Trust Jesus with your whole heart and see what love will do.
(*Image Credit:Thinkstock)
Susie Larson is a talk radio host, national speaker, and bestselling author of fifteen books and many articles. In both 2016 and 2017 Susie was nominated and voted into the top ten groups for the National John Maxwell Leadership Award. Susie has been married to her dear husband Kevin since 1985 and together they have three wonderful sons, three beautiful daughters-in-law, one amazing grandson, and one adorable pit bull named Memphis. Susie’s passion is to see women everywhere awakened to the value of their soul, the depth of God’s love, and the height of their calling in Christ Jesus. This article is adapted from her latest book, Your Powerful Prayers.