Sovereign – Even Over Death

In the Bible study that I was involved in back home, we were going through the book “Following God – Life Principles from the Old Testament.” It has take different men of the Bible and dug deeper into who they were, how God influenced their life, and how we can apply their life lessons to our own. I decided to keep doing the Bible study because it was so good – I am currently on Joshua.

One part about Joshua’s life, really hit home for me. When God called Joshua to lead the Israelites into Canaan, (now doing it without Moses), God numerous times, told Joshua He would be with Him and never leave him, no matter where he went. God promised Joshua His presence in his life. It was now Joshua’s turn to lead the people – what a monumental task! Especially with the history of the Israelites – their track record for obeying God, wasn’t great at that point, hence the wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. But the book made a good point in saying this: “God never calls us to something for which He has not prepared us and through which He will not walk with us. Knowing this makes obedience easier.”

I literally sat there and pondered this thought for awhile. There definitely have been times where I have been anxious about the task God has placed before me. Sometimes feeling equipped was definitely not a feeling I had. I think back to how God brought two little babies into our life. I am so thankful that God gave us confidence that THIS was what He wanted for our lives as we were going through the process, without knowing the end result. If we knew the end result, I can’t say I would be very accepting of the road it would take to get there. But having gone through it, never once did God not give us the “tools” we needed to get through the journey He called us to. He NEVER left us. Sometimes God felt so distant because the pain just overwhelmed us. But at the same time, God felt so near because in our hearts we knew He was sovereign, even in death.

God is sovereign, EVEN over death.

I don’t think it is coincidence that these thoughts have come to mind this week – this week of preparation for Christ’s death and ressurection. Having gone through a painful time in life, I am only brought to tears to think about the pain that Christ suffered for ME. This being the first Easter after all that happened last fall, having grieved so deeply over two little ones we so dearly loved, I realize I can’t even fathom the pain and suffering Christ went through, FOR ME. I just can’t get over the fact that He would go through all that He did, FOR ME. I have never teared up over Easter week as much as I have this year. I am just overwhelmed with emotions, thinking about Christ’s love. Thinking about His death. Thinking about His desire for a relationship with me. He died so that the burden of sin would fall on Him. He died so that I can walk with Him in glory, while He had to walk the road to a crucifixion, with a cross on His shoulder. He died so that everyday I can look to Him, knowing my citizenship is in heaven, and that this life is only but a blink, when it comes to eternity with Him.

Overwhelmed by grace. As I think about Easter and what Easter means for me daily, I just want to pump my fist in the air and say “YEAH!” It just gets me all fired up to think that I can daily choose to serve a God who sent His own Son for my sake. In those times when I feel God calls me to a task that I feel I am not equipped for, I only have to look to the cross as my example. Christ conquered death. I think of where Dan and I are now, and it is only through God’s grace and love that we are where we are.

As you continue to think about Christ’s death and ressurection, think about those times that you do not feel equipped – think about what Christ was able to do for us on the cross and it will make those circumstances seem a little more manageable!