The women who had been so faithfully vigilant at the Cross during the long hours of Jesus’ suffering returned together first thing Sunday morning to complete the embalming process that Joseph and Nicodemus had hastily done late Friday afternoon.
Their voices could be heard on the brisk early morning air as they discussed the problem of how they would roll the stone away. They knew it would be impossible for them to accomplish, even if all of them pushed together. What stone, what obstacle is ahead of you that you think you can’t move or get around, that blocks you from fulfilling your commitment to the Lord? Is it the stone of
financial limitations?
practical inexperience?
physical weakness?
If we steadfastly cling to our faith in Him, persevering in our commitment with obedience to His direction and call in our lives, He will roll away the stones for us!
Jesus commanded His disciples to “trust in God; trust also in me.” The antidote to fear is faith.
When I toss and turn in the middle of the night, worried and fearful over something that is impending in my life or the life of someone I love, I am comforted and calmed as I meditate on Who God is. It helps me plant my faith in Someone Who is bigger than my fears. I just fall back on Who God is and rest in Him. He cannot be less than Himself! And my God is God!
Next time you feel afraid, make up a list – not of your fears but of the characteristics of God. Find a Scripture verse or passage to substantiate each one as you reconsider your situation in light of Who God is. Then, if you feel it would be helpful to list your fears, make sure beside each one you write down the attribute of God that applies. The secret to peace lies in your focus.
God, as the Judge of all the earth, determined the wickedness of Cain’s civilization could no longer be tolerated, and He sent the Flood to wash it away. God, Who judged the world, is the same God Who saved the world from His own judgment by providing the ark as a means of escape. Praise God! That’s His goodness!
Like pouring oil on troubled waters, our knowledge of Who God is calms our fears. So . . . keep your faith, and keep your focus!
God is faithful
and gracious
and good
and loving
and patient
and holy
and righteous
and merciful.
What is life in the image of God? It is life with a capacity to know the Creator in a personal relationship. It is a soul that communes with God and has eternal value in His sight. Man was created
to walk and talk with God,
to love and obey God,
to listen to and learn from God,
to glorify and enjoy God forever!
Jesus defined our meaning for existence when He prayed, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Knowing God in a personal and permanent relationship is the ultimate human experience. Knowing God is the meaning of human life. It is the reason for our existence. It was the completion of all the changes God made in the environment in the beginning. And it is the completion of all the changes God is making in your life at the present.
Get to know Him and discover the real meaning of life.
I understand that a turkey and an eagle react differently to the threat of a storm. A turkey reacts by running under the barn, hoping the storm won’t come near. On the other hand, an eagle leaves the security of its nest and spreads its wings to ride the air currents of the approaching storm, knowing they will carry it higher in the sky than it could soar on its own. Based on your reaction to the storms of life, which are you? A turkey or an eagle?
It’s natural for me to be a turkey in my emotions, but I have chosen to be an eagle in my spirit. And as I have spread my wings of faith to embrace the “Wind,” placing my trust in Jesus and Jesus alone, I have experienced quiet, “everyday” miracles:
His joy has balanced my pain.
His power has lifted my burden.
His peace has calmed my worries.
So . . . would you spread your wings of faith and soar?!
