40 Day Devotionals 2014 Day 45 - Saturday of Waiting

I turned to my wife and I asked, "Is there a name for the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday?" She turned to me and said "Sadderday." (here is the video clip) She was referencing an Easter video we shared with the students a while ago. I couldn't help but giggle but at the same time I had to stop and think about how that is so true. This is by far, one of the saddest days in all of existence! The curtain was torn so God was no longer in the temple with us and Jesus had also passed. I'll let that sink in for a moment...

We know that Jesus conquers death but for those who has lost their Rabbi, their friend, their Lord, their son, this weekend was truly painful. Fortunately for us, we know that Christ returns. We know He abolishes sin and builds the best relationship we will ever have, the relationship with God our creator, our provider, our Father.

This is a wonderful chance for us to focus on the sacrifice, the salvation in our lives, our families, our friends, and our relationship with the Creator.

Day 40

Scripture

Psalm 27: 13-14

-    Before Reading the scripture today; Pray and ask the spirit to guide you in the reading:
13 I remain confident of this:
   I will see the goodness of the LORD
   in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
   be strong and take heart
   and wait for the LORD.
Wisdom

-    Pondering really hard on what to write about and think about on this special Saturday I was encouraged by David’s word in the Psalms. We need to learn to wait on the Lord. We have a huge benefit over the disciples. We actually know that Christ returned after His death. There wasn’t a period of mourning for us; we weren’t there on Saturday, sitting and waiting to see what was going to happen. In their minds Jesus was gone forever after he died. I can only imagine how they felt. For those of you who have lost a close friend or relative you know how it feels. But for us, we know that he returned. I‘m sure seeing Jesus for the first time after he died was the most amazing thing the disciples have ever witnessed.
-    I encourage you to think about what Christ has done for you while you wait for Easter Sunday to come. Instead of mourning His death, rejoice in knowing that He is coming back after defeating all the sin in your life. Sin that separates you from God. But thanks to Jesus, we are no longer separated.

Apply

-    Today, reflect on the times in your life where you felt the Lord may not have been there for you. Find traces of Him in all aspects of your life.
-    Take the time to think about people you will tell your story of faith to.
-    Can you think of at least 2 friends or family who don’t know about Jesus? Use your story of faith to start a conversation with them about Christ.

Prayer

-    Praise Jesus for His sacrifice. Thank him for taking all of your sin with Him and defeating it. Ask Him for the strength to wait on Him in your life. Now pray for the people in your life that you know don’t have a relationship with God. Ask Jesus to soften their hearts so that you can share the gospel with them.