Are you afraid of
anything or anyone right now? Is something worrying you?
Last week, Joe and I were afraid. We were worried and sick to our stomachs over an attorney letter we received from a former renter’s lawyer. They were threatening a lawsuit because we hadn’t returned their deposit money (but, they had left several damages and hadn’t cleaned the place).
Joe and I prayed for help and direction and that we would learn what God might be teaching us through this experience. We knew God was already aware of the situation and would be with us, but it was still hard not to worry about the outcome.
The women that visited Jesus’ tomb had a similar combination of faith and fear. As we saw in previous weeks, they experienced a violent earthquake, watched a brilliantly shining angel roll the stone away, and witnessed the guards become like dead men in response! Who wouldn’t have been afraid! Yet, they heeded the angel’s direction to go quickly to tell Jesus’ disciples.
Matthew 28:8-10 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
The women were immediately obedient, even in the midst of their fear. Jesus then appeared to them personally to reassure them and to reiterate what the angel had commanded. In response, the women didn’t ask Him any questions, but simply worshiped Him! They didn’t say a quick “thank you Lord,” but stopped, bowed down and worshiped. Is that your and my first response when God resolves a seemingly impossible situation?
In Joe’s and my situation, God gave Joe an opportunity four days later to meet with the renter and resolve the whole thing! Like the women, I couldn’t help but immediately praise God!!!
How has God changed an opportunity to worry into an opportunity to worship? In response, instead of a quick “thank you,” how can you and I intentionally take time to truly worship and praise God for who He is?
Alice
Last week, Joe and I were afraid. We were worried and sick to our stomachs over an attorney letter we received from a former renter’s lawyer. They were threatening a lawsuit because we hadn’t returned their deposit money (but, they had left several damages and hadn’t cleaned the place).
Joe and I prayed for help and direction and that we would learn what God might be teaching us through this experience. We knew God was already aware of the situation and would be with us, but it was still hard not to worry about the outcome.
The women that visited Jesus’ tomb had a similar combination of faith and fear. As we saw in previous weeks, they experienced a violent earthquake, watched a brilliantly shining angel roll the stone away, and witnessed the guards become like dead men in response! Who wouldn’t have been afraid! Yet, they heeded the angel’s direction to go quickly to tell Jesus’ disciples.
Matthew 28:8-10 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
The women were immediately obedient, even in the midst of their fear. Jesus then appeared to them personally to reassure them and to reiterate what the angel had commanded. In response, the women didn’t ask Him any questions, but simply worshiped Him! They didn’t say a quick “thank you Lord,” but stopped, bowed down and worshiped. Is that your and my first response when God resolves a seemingly impossible situation?
In Joe’s and my situation, God gave Joe an opportunity four days later to meet with the renter and resolve the whole thing! Like the women, I couldn’t help but immediately praise God!!!
How has God changed an opportunity to worry into an opportunity to worship? In response, instead of a quick “thank you,” how can you and I intentionally take time to truly worship and praise God for who He is?
Alice
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