“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” - Psalm 16:11 (NIV).
To resurrect something means to return to life that which was considered dead. We first come across this astonishing event when Jesus learns of the death of his friend Lazarus. But while Lazarus’s sister, Mary, had lost hope, mourning once he lighted on the scene, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11: 32), it was not all over.
For ”When Jesus approached the tomb of Lazarus, he “called in a loud voice, “Lazarus come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face” (vv 43-44). It was no small miracle since earlier one of Lazarus’s sisters, Martha, had despaired for he had been buried for four days (vv 39).
While here we see Jesus bringing back life one from dead; there are also other situations any of us could encounter in life which have been given up for dead and lost forever. But it is not all over. A case in point could be an application for a job or tender. It might be lost in the paper tray and one’s hope of securing his desires almost gone. There could be a business transaction that was almost close to being effected only to be locked up and apparently the case closed. Sometimes it might be a personal relationship, say in a family, which has irretrievably broken down. It appears dead.
But Jesus is saying, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (vv 25), meaning that just as the two sisters had given up hope on seeing their brother alive again, he comes with power to bring back life matters one may consider dead. Indeed, there are innumerable cases that had been once completely surrendered and given up on, only for Christ to miraculously back a situation once considered hopeless to life.
Maybe you too have such a situation everyone has considered dead and gone forever. You know it. But it is not all over; don’t despair. The feet of Jesus are around the corner, and with faith in him, he is the resurrection and life.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, whatever the situation I may be facing, even that which is considered dead and hopelessly lost, now I surrender it you that you bring it back to life, for you are the resurrection and life, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
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04/05/2024 - 05/05/2024 All day“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord your good is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua, 1:9 NKJV)
Self doubt is common to any life. Sometimes it can be a result of a challenge one is about to face. After Moses had passed on, Joshua knew he was succeeding a giant to lead the people of Israel to the Promised land. When someone succeeds a great leader there is bound to be comparison, a bit of which might be unfair and disheartening. As we see in this case, the mission was yet to be completed. If anyone, Joshua wouldn’t mind some encouragement.
Joshua would receive the encouragement he needed from God. He was assured that God Himself had chosen him to succeed Moses and take on the uncompleted task. God assured Joshua through His word that He would be with him. Joshua had had enough experiences to know that God’s promise was unfailing. After Moses sent out the twelve spies to explore the land the Israelis were about to invade, he and Caleb were the only two who believed that because of faith in God they could overcome the giants they saw (Numbers 13).
Today, any of us may be facing a task no less overwhelming from our experience as Joshua faced. Perhaps we have taken on a momentous office. We could be setting on a journey of undetermined length. Maybe there is a challenge that has just risen up from nowhere and we seemed all submerged.
The words God gave Joshua, his servant, should be of encouragement to us. Just as God commanded Joshua not to be afraid or dismayed, may we walk in that confidence.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today whatever task I face, I look up to you, and hold on to the words you gave Joshua, not to be afraid or dismayed, for you are with me, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
