Courage....
Easter week is a culmination of courage, standing in difficulty, danger, pain with triumph, doing what is right no matter what...with victory...as the ultimate result .....
Day after day, if we listen to or watch the world news, we see courage acted out in all sorts of ways..some in following evil....and some in following good...people living up to their convictions....or we see the opposite in cowardice as well...
But, Jesus, who knew exactly what he came to earth for, exuded courage every step of the way..through out his 30+ years here on earth...from talking to the leaders when he was young to facing the crowds, leaders and soldiers this week of passion before the ugly death in the cross...it was in the Plan...
The last supper with his disciples, the prayers in the garden, facing the crowds, questioning of various people, beaten, shamed, ....he did it with courage and conviction....because he knew the outcome and He did it for us....He knew the victory.....that God reigned no what what...he knew He would rise again to overcome the evil...eternally... He came with authority.....the creator of the universe...
There are people around the world, who right now, are facing the same evilness, with courage because they know God as well...bravely making Christ known to others no matter the earthly outcome...they, too, are awaiting that eternity promised...whether the evilness comes in the form of evil men, or disease, starvation..but, courageously with grace extended...
Thank YOU that You are the victor through these times ....through this week in remembrance of Christ's last week...in some ways, it feel like evil unleashed to show that You have the ultimate victory over all...in your grace and goodness to those who daily pick up their crosses in your holy Name...there is resurrection... there is the power of your Word...there is YOU...help me delight in You....
John 17:1-5 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Matthew 26...
Psalm 37:1-24, 27 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither,like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the Lord and do good;dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,your vindication like the noonday sun.
Be still before the Lordand wait patiently for him;do not fret when people succeed in their ways,when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed,but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
A little while, and the wicked will be no more;though you look for them, they will not be found.
But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. The wicked plot against the righteousand gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked,for he knows their day is coming. The wicked draw the swordand bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy,to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts,and their bows will be broken.
Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken,but the Lord upholds the righteous. The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care,and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither;in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
But the wicked will perish:Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke. The wicked borrow and do not repay,but the righteous give generously; those the Lord blesses will inherit the land,but those he curses will be destroyed.
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall,for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Turn from evil and do good;then you will dwell in the land forever.
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