Believing and Living in the Resurrection
So, it’s now two days after Resurrection Day. Has it all wore off already? I mean, you went back to work or your daily routine and pretty much everything was just the way you left it, right? You had the same struggles with your co-worker who gets on your nerves… you had the same grinding job of cleaning up the mess everyone left at your house… you had the same thing you always had just a different day. But it’s only been two days since the Resurrection. How can this be? How is it that we so easily forget we live in victory, not defeat?
I thought of that as I started reading the Book of Joshua this morning. I love this book of the Bible. It’s full of action and suspense.
Here’s what we know: Moses is dead and now Joshua has taken his place. God tells Joshua to cross the Jordan River and capture Jericho. Before that happens, Joshua sends two spies into Jericho to check it out. While there, they meet a lady of the night, a prostitute. Her name is Rahab. She plays a huge role in this whole story.
She tells the two Israelite spies that…
“Everyone shakes in fear because of you…” —Joshua 2:9
Then she tells them, they’ve heard all the stories of how great God was in delivering them from Egyptian slavery and how He lead them 40 years in the wilderness. You can tell, she is awestruck by God’s power. Then she strikes a deal with these two spies – she’ll help them if they save her and her family. The rest is history that you’ll need to read for yourself.
But here is the clinching line. When the spies get back to Joshua, this is what they say…
“The people there shake with fear every time they think of us.” —Joshua 2:24
So my question is… why doesn’t that happen anymore? I don’t mean people should be physically afraid of us… but most people don’t even know we’re Christians and on top of that, Resurrection Christians. Why is it that the power of the Resurrection doesn’t live on in us every day. Why is it that our co-worker doesn’t know the joy within our heart? Why is it that our neighbor doesn’t know who we are and what we believe?
Here’s my word of encouragement for you today
We are God’s own people. We are chosen by Him. We carry His name.
We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Why would we settle for anything less?
I’ll tell you again, when the enemy gets in your face and wants you to quit, get your faith on, and get in his face and let him know, “I didn’t come here to lose today!” I believe and live the Resurrection.
Father,
Through the power of your Spirit within me, help me to live the victory that is mine because of the Resurrection. In Jesus name I ask this, Amen.
—Rev. Dr. MM Marxhausen
Mark was Spiritual Director for VdC from 2016 to 2019. He's written many of the devotions, especially the Devote and Affirm series, found on this website.
