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Monday: “It’s always darkest before the dawn.” Most of us have heard this expression for years. Folks use this expression to give the thought that things always seem to get worse before they get better. It’s even an old Hymn by Jim Patterson that hardly anyone knows. This week we will focus on Saturday of “Holy Week” and try to wrap our minds around the beautiful fact that even in the worst of circumstances, there’s hope. Father God, we just finished a series on mourning and lamenting. Remind our hearts to never give up when times seem harsh, but to hang on for one more day. In the beautiful name of Jesus, amen.

 

Tuesday: “And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment (Luke 23:56).” There you go. This is the biblical record of what occurred on Saturday of “Holy Week”. Can you imagine what all is going through the minds of those closest to Jesus? Although He told them what all would happen, even though they have access to the prophecies, add in the fact that Jesus told them he would come back…They are in shambles. It be like that sometimes. Life can truly tear us all apart. The Sabbatical rest is needed. God didn’t create us to go, go, go. He instituted a day of rest each week for a purpose. These followers most def. needed one. You do too. Lord, calm my storms. Heal my heart. Rest my mind. Help me not neglect or ignore the Sabbath. In Jesus Name, amen.

 

Wednesday: 2 items we didn’t check out last Sunday that we need to look at this week are: What happened to Judas, as well as, the sealing of the tomb. Matthew 27:3-10 tells us the tragic ending of Judas, and then verses 62-66 tell of the tomb of Jesus being secured. The guilt ridden heart of Judas and the worried minds of the Sadducees and Jewish leaders shows us that it wasn’t just the followers of Jesus who had heavy hearts on that Saturday. From grief to guilt, worry to anxiety, a heavy heart is hard to bear. O, Lord, calm our storms. Heal our hearts. Open our eyes to Your message.. In Jesus Name, amen.

 

Thursday: The Sadducees and Pharisees go to Pilate with concerns of securely   sealing the tomb. The sadducees don’t believe in a resurrection and the Jewish leadership were thinking the followers of Jesus would steal and hide the body. Pilates concern is himself and riots starting, so he has a large stone placed in front and also places guards to keep watch. How awesome is God?! Both of these items end up authenticating the truth of the resurrection! Good God, Almighty, You are awesome! Thank You for allowing what’s meant to be for evil to end up proving the good that much more. You rock!. In Jesus, amen.

 

Friday: The followers of Jesus lock themselves behind closed doors and mourn harder than ever before. They ran and hid. Jesus told them they would. Let’s be real, y’all: we all run and hide at times. We all have moments where we lock ourselves up away from everyone else. We lock ourselves more mentally and emotionally than we ever do physically. Unlock. Open up. Allow God to begin the healing and growing process. Lord, we need You . Heal us up. In Jesus, amen.

 

Saturday: “So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you (John 16:22).” “Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord’s coming (James 5:7).” Hold on for 1 more day. It’s always darkest before dawn, so hold fast to Gods unchanging hands. Father, thank You for the always needed truth that Sunday is coming. Thank You for salvation. Thank You for freedom found in Jesus, amen.

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