12/04/2020
Luke 24:6-7: "He is not here; he has risen!”
When Jesus chose to die for us on the cross, He did so knowing that we might never reciprocate His love for us. For sometimes we can become so ashamed of ourselves that we automatically feel like Jesus is too, but He’s not. He knew that we would struggle, He knew that we would make wrong decisions. He knew that we would go through some rough phases, but He still chose the cross.
I hope you know that Jesus didn’t die for the beautiful and dressed up version of you that sits in church or reads their bible everyday. He died for the version of you that cries at night and makes unforgivable mistakes and goes weeks without thanking Him.
So don’t run from Him, run to Him.
If you’re going through a hard situation at the moment and you can’t feel God’s presence beside you or see His footsteps, it’s not because He’s left, it’s because He’s carrying you. No matter what type of situation you’re going through, if God wakes you up in the morning, then He’s not finished with you yet. As it says in Romans 8:18; though the pain we’re feeling at this moment may be immeasurable, have faith and keep hope, for this pain can’t compare to the joy that is coming.
God will deliver us from this situation. If you ever become doubtful that He won’t, then just remember this; Noah waited 120 years for rain. Abraham waited 25 years for a promised son. Joseph waited 13 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. God prepares good situations in disguise. I know that waiting is awful, but we need to trust in God’s timing because He will always deliver.
And if you hate the situation you’re in, then think of it like this: Moses was placed in a stream so that one day he could split the sea. Appreciate God’s power in the current situation we're facing so that He may use it through you in the future. For example, the happiest book in the Bible is considered to be Philippians, yet it was written in prison. This shows to us that our circumstances don’t always have to determine our joy. So find strength in whatever way you can; through worship, praying or reading God’s word.
As always, stay safe and keep hoping,
Ellie
The Spiritual Encounter Team