“I called to The Lord in my distress…” Jonah 2:2
Think of time when you were in the darkest depths of a situation, all hope lost.
Did you doubt there was any way out of the problem? Did you question “where is God?!”
The day after the crucifixion of Jesus, while the blood-crusted cross lay bare, and buzzards circled overhead hoping for some remains, His disciples were huddled together hiding. Scared of being found by those who carried out the execution who didn’t want the rabble-rousers to keep spreading what they thought was heresy. These friends of the Savior who were called by name, experienced the love and grace of Jesus were grieving and whispering in their heart’s questions like “why didn’t God stop His death”, “did we do enough to earn His love”, and “was He really the Messiah or just a fraud?”
Maybe Nicodemus, the Pharisee turned devoted follower of Jesus, was also there with the disciples sitting silently. Then he emerged from the shadows and softly spoke to the others – “remember the Rabbi’s words to my fellow religious leaders at the time: “as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights?” (Matthew 12:40)
Was this truly God’s plan depicted in the life of the prophet Jonah hundreds of years ago?
“Yes, remember, when Jonah emerged from the depths an entire civilization repented and followed after the LORD,” Peter burst out. “Quiet, they’ll find us,” shushed Matthew. Suddenly there was a glimmer of hope. The disciples, Mary of Magdalene, and Joseph of Arimathea who gave his tomb for Jesus’ burial, surrounded Jesus’ mother Mary with hugs and words of reassurance that everything would be fine.
The sunrise couldn’t happen fast enough. They would rush to the tomb and see if indeed Jesus was waiting for them to write the next chapter in their lives.
As you prepare to celebrate Easter, take time to think of some of the ways you have been brought out of the depths of a situation that seemed impossible. God will use that memory to remind you to wait on Him and trust Him more each new day.
Sunday is coming…
To purchase images depicting God’s story on prints or mugs, visit FOLLOWMEART.com