Daily Devotions
Psalm 143:7 “Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.”
The Saturday before Easter has always been a day of personal reflection and devotion for me. Some churches hold what’s called an “Easter Vigil,” opening the church Saturday evening for prayer and meditation.
In the Psalms, the grave is often referred to as “the pit.” On that first Holy Saturday, Jesus was in the pit of the grave. So, how can God hear our prayers if the one through whom He hears our prayers is dead?
But Jesus did not stay dead! And because Jesus lives, the Lord answers us quickly-He does not hide His face from us! He answered our need for a Savior, and He is there for us, no matter where we are or what we are facing.
Application: Think of five people you know who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Spend five minutes in prayer for each one. Include a request that God use you to reach them–perhaps by inviting them to join you in worship tomorrow.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, on this day Jesus rested in the tomb and thus made the graves of those who die believing in Jesus a place of rest as well. May we rest secure, knowing that when our last hour comes we, too, will rest and be raised when Jesus returns to take us to heaven. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.