When All Hope Seems Lost
As I reflect today on the death of Christ, I once again stand in awe of his salvation and the price he paid on the cross. "Isaiah 12:3 tells us this, “With joy, you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation!” This time each year I am overcome by the grace and mercy of Christ. I am tenderly reminded of the sin that has been removed from my life. This gentle nudge spurs an ever-deepening love and adoration of Christ causing my heart to rejoice in the new life He has given me.
We are blessed to know how the Easter story ends with Christ risen and overcoming sin and death. Yet, today I take pause to think about how his followers must have spent this day so many years ago. Though today I rejoice in knowing that tomorrow I will celebrate Christ’s resurrection that would not have been his followers' story. Just 2 days ago Christ was talking with them, sharing his life and his love. Then one day later, seemingly out of nowhere, he was taken captive, beaten, and crucified. I envision them gathered together to weep and mourn the loss of their savior and friend. I see them crying out to God for a change of circumstance. From all appearances, the story was over. Death had swallowed up their dreams. All hope seemed lost.
But, in true God fashion, death did not have the final say. Death was actually clearing the slate, making way for a fresh start. Christ rose and claimed victory for all who choose to follow him!
Where are you today? Like Christ’s followers, do you find yourself in circumstances where death seems to have had the last say? A failing marriage or divorce, a broken relationship, financial strain, or a dead-end job search? All of these can leave us feeling hopeless? But circumstances do not define followers of Christ. We fix our eyes on the author and perfecter of our faith. We lean into him for strength, a renewed heart, and fullness of life. Rest in God, Dear One, for he is in the business of bringing dead things to life.
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
1 Corinthians 15:55
I was clearly reminded of this today as I walked, praying for God to bring fresh, new life into a situation dear to my heart. Amid the dead brush of winter, stood this one lone daffodil vibrant and bold. It beckoned me to come close, to capture a photo so that I would not forget that when a situation is seemly dead it is not the end and all hope is not lost. Rather, it is a platform for a new and improved season! The victory is always His!