Resurrection #1

(Old Testament Prophecy) ... my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

(New Testament fulfillment) Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? "He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, "saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'" And they remembered His words. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.



Ps 16:9-10, Luke 24:1-12, www.solascriptura.com



Jesus, here Kind David proclaims that his soul will not be left in Sheol (Hell, Hades) and that he rejoices that his flesh will rest in hope. Subsequent to David saying this, Your word tell us that his spirit will be united with Your Spirit and that this David will be resurrected and will serve as King, once again, in Jerusalem, during the 1000 year period of time in which Your chosen people will lead all believers in rejoicing.



Jesus, David also proclaims that You, the Holy One, the Son of God, will not see corruption. Then in the New Testament, Your servant, Dr. Luke, tells us of Your resurrection. Your body did not decay, your flesh is not here and that You are risen. Yes, as we say to one another, Christ has risen indeed! Our hope is centered on the fact of Your resurrection for if You were not raised, our hope is in vain.



We know that in the end, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that You are Lord indeed. Let us not wait until the end but to express our love for You, now. In Your Holy name, we pray, amen.



Bruce Caldwell

Hope #3

... beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 6:9-12, www.solascriptura.com

Father, You expect more from we that love You because You empower us. You remind us that You will not forget our work of love that we have advanced in Your name.

Father, You have also taught us that the works that we do in Your name must spring from our faith, not our sense of duty. Thank You for teaching us that our works are in response to Your love. O' God, is there any option for Your children but to respond to Your love?

We do pray for the strength and the endurance to persist in faithful endeavor even when we are tired and frustrated. Father, when we hang our head, we are looking the wrong way. Help us look up, seeking Your guidance in all things. We pray these things in the name of Jesus, amen.