The despair that gripped the disciples and the other followers of Jesus after the crucifixion is unimaginable. The disciples had abandoned their jobs and left their homes to follow Jesus. They believed he was the Messiah. Jesus had told them he would die and rise from the dead in three days, But they evidently weren’t really paying attention. They witnessed his miracles and powerful teaching; they didn’t believe he would die. He came to save them! But now the silence of the grave surrounded them. Jesus body was placed in a tomb and a huge stone sealed the entrance. How could this happen? What were they to do now? Everything they had believed in and lived for was gone! The Roman officials and Pharisees sent soldiers to guard the tomb and make sure that no one took Jesus’ body. They remembered what Jesus had said about rising after three days, so they weren’t taking any chances. They wanted this whole Jesus’ thing to come to an end! But, no earthly militia could forestall the resurrection power of God. On the third day the stone was rolled away and the body of Jesus was gone. He had done it. He arose from the dead and conquered death, hell and the grave!

Scriptures
Mt 27:57-65; Pr 19:21; Lk 24:1-5; 1 Co 15:55-58; Ro 8:28; 1 Pe 1:3-5

Verse
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Pr 19:21)
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” (Lk 24:1-5)

Thought
There were three devastating days of silence, three devastating days of despair, uncertainty, grief, sorrow and loss. Sometimes you wait patiently and God takes despair and turns it into victory! Other times you face difficult circumstances for years, maybe even for a lifetime. Maybe you are losing the battle with cancer, or your job prospects never pan out, your financial situation continues on a downward spiral, or you and your spouse have differences that cannot be reconciled. God promises that one day everything will be made new. You must decide to be faithful, wait and trust God for that day. God is more than able, but it comes in his timing…sometimes three days and sometimes it may be eternity. Will you continue to wait and trust God until that day comes, whenever it may be?

Questions
When has God broken the silence in your life and brought victory? In what situation have you been waiting for a long while? Are you willing to trust God, even if nothing changes in this lifetime?
What do you think the disciples were doing during those three days? What would you have been doing if you had been a follower who witnessed Jesus’ death?

Response
Waiting on God is not fun but it causes our strength to increase. Immerse you mind in God’s word. Pray daily. Spend time in quiet and allow God to speak to you. By doing these things you will build yourself up so that when times of despair come, you can unwaveringly trust God and wait.

Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven, help me live my days knowing that you are in control and the grave is empty! No matter what my circumstances, I have much to celebrate and be thankful for because of Jesus. Allow your resurrection power to revive my heart and give me strength to continue. In Jesus Name, Amen.