Gems from the Psalms (15)

Count the Days

Neville Turley

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.  Psalm 16:9-10 (NIV)

Seven days from now it will be Easter 2013. 

Many people will seize the long weekend as an opportunity to enjoy a mini-vacation or to visit relatives and friends in distant towns.

Thousands will take to the roads to reach their destinations in the limited time available.  If previous years are anything to go by, the traffic will be heavy.  Accidents will occur and the carnage on our roads will increase.

Thousands too, will pack churches as regular and casual churchgoers gather to worship during this the most holy week in the Christian calendar.

Good Friday is when we think of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary.  We think of the physical suffering and the agony and humiliation of the most righteous man who ever lived.  What love he has for us.  He, who had no sin, took our sin on himself so that our redemption could be ensured.

There on that first Easter Sunday our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the grave.  His bodily resurrection is the cornerstone on which our faith is founded.  Because of him, we too can pass from death to life and rise again in resurrected bodies on the Last Day.

Before he ascended into heaven the resurrected Lord Jesus had a special message for his disciples:  “…Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.  …This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations,…”  Luke 24:44&46

God loves us so much, it does not matter who or what we are or how messed up our lives may be.  God wants to, and will give us a new start if we turn to him for forgiveness and strength.  Bear that thought in mind during the coming week.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in love you sent your Son who laid down his life so that we may be reconciled to you and inherit eternal life.  May we, this Easter, through our own witness to others bring glory to your name. For Jesus sake. Amen