1 Corinthians 15:4
“And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according
to the scriptures.”
The resurrection of Christ is an historic fact, proved by the message
of the gospel. How would you describe, in your own words, the importance
of the gospel in your life? How does your life prove it’s message? The
verse above clearly points out that life exists beyond the grave. Yes,
Jesus was buried – but He was still alive! Is that true in your life,
dear lady? The definition of bury is to place one thing within another,
to cover with earth, to hide, to conceal, to withdraw, to overwhelm. If
we would be honest today, each one of us is buried with one concern or
another, but because of the gospel truth, it need not be the death of
us! Martha was buried in housework; Hannah was weighed down with agony
over being childless; Esther was burdened for her people; the Shunamite
woman was overcome by the sudden death of her son; Lot’s wife was entombed
in her love for the world; Delilah was shrouded by her passion for money
and men. These and countless other women have experienced various situations
that buried them. However, not all rose above their circumstances! Will
you be one who does? In Christ, we can be buried, but still be alive...
We can exist beyond the issues that greatly overwhelm us. It is possible
to have joy and victory in life in spite of crushing circumstances! You
see ladies, death is not the greatest loss in life, the greatest loss
is what dies inside of us while we still have breath in our body. Christ
died to help us live – not to give in to death, but to be conquerors.
Matthew 9:25, “But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took
her by the hand, and the maid arose.”
Think for a moment… What area or areas of your life seem dead to you?
The One who rose again can make a difference; He can raise you up to walk
in newness of life! In Christ, death holds no power over us. There is
no need to be overtaken with darkness, fear of failure, or live with a
doom and gloom attitude. No matter how things look, no matter how you
feel, no matter what others might have to say, just take Christ’s hand
and you will find that you can exist beyond the grave!
John 5:28, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all
that are in the graves shall hear his voice,”
Ladies, it’s time that those of us living as if we were deceased heard
the voice of the Lord again! He has the power and the authority to change
our circumstances. He holds the keys to death… He has full control over
all that is going on and we must rest in that fact no matter how long
it takes for things to get better. As I read our opening verse, I pondered
why the Lord would wait three days to rise again. Why not one? Oftentimes
when we are heavy with concern over certain issues, one day is not too
hard to endure. By the second day of our trial, reality sets in and we
usually bury ourselves in deep distress and have come to realize we are
powerless. By the third day, we are beginning to look outside ourselves
for help… My point being, God knows how long each of us can handle that
which presses upon our hearts. Trust His timing! Rather than burying yourself
in your problems, deposit yourself in His infinite care! The Bible says
He will never put more upon us than we can bear. Allow the fact that Christ
arose again on the third day remind you that there is a rest that remaineth
unto the people of God! One day all our burdens will be lifted completely,
but for now, we can be buried and still be alive. The finished work of
Christ makes it possible. Are you living as if it were so?
Light after darkness, gain after loss,
Strength after weakness, crown after cross;
Sweet after bitter, hope after fears,
Home after wandering, praise after tears.
Sheaves after sowing, sun after rain,
Sight after mystery, peace after pain;
Joy after sorrow, calm after blast,
Rest after weariness, sweet rest at last.
Near after distant, gleam after gloom,
Love after loneliness, life after tomb;
After long agony, rapture of bliss -
Right was the pathway leading to this.
(by Frances R. Havergal)
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2002 Pamela A. Iannello
