Anybody ever wondered why life is so bleak and lonely at times? So empty and painful, so seemingly worthless. Ah! But there’s a reason for your life, for your troubles, for your dreams — there is HOPE! There is an empty tomb for you. Read on and I’ll explain that to you… but first, some Bible Scripture to get us started.

A Cry for Direction

Psalms 143:8–10 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good;

  1. We should acknowledge that the Holy Spirit is a blessing — lead me into the land of uprightness.

  2. It’s not always easy to know his will, let alone do it. That’s why we must go to his word for teaching, correction, doctrine, reproof, and instruction in righteousness. Proverbs 30:3-6

  3. I neither learned wisdom nor have the knowledge of the holy.

  4. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?

(In other words, is he or is he not the mighty God, our creator, our provider, our protector? It is he who controls our destiny. Why, he holds in the palm of his hand — his fist — the winds of adversity, and though they blow our way they shall not destroy us. He holds the thunderous hurricanes of destruction, the powerful tornadoes that wreak havoc in lives, and the raging storms of life, all in his hand. He commands the waters to stay. He knows the earth from one end to the other, and we are never too far from his reach and protection. You see, he is! Not was! The great savior. “Is anything too hard for God?” We have not even seen the half of his power and wonder.)

  1. Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
  2. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

(Too many want to add their own thoughts and ideas to his word. Sometimes even in sincerity we misinterpret his word. I believe I can speak on this, for I am guilty of this very thing. That’s why it is so important that we learn to pray and discern through the help of the Holy Spirit, for the Bible says to try the spirits. Not everything we think or hear is of God — is it indeed of God? It is our obligation to know the truth from the lies.)

Mary at the Empty Tomb

John 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

  1. Notice it was the first thing she did on the first day of the week. She did not fear the dark nor would she let it hinder her. Perhaps we all could use some prioritizing — make sure our hearts beat in the right direction and after the things of God, not after the world.
  2. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
  3. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

Sometimes we need to be in a HURRY about the business of God! In a hurry to see the glory of God, in a hurry to feel after his divine presence.

  1. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
  2. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

Afraid of what? Sometimes we fear the very presence of God or his representatives — why? Could it be because we fear change? We fear correction? Could we fear the comparison of his glory and divinity to our frail flesh will reveal our flaws and failures? Or do we prefer life among the dead as long as there is no cost to us?

Too many times we get too comfortable among the dry, stale, and dead religionists — relaxed in the routine and ritual of things, in dry dead services, people with empty burdenless hearts, etc.

  1. He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you… 11. But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre.

(Sometimes we need to recognize that we serve a risen Lord, not a dead God locked in some tomb somewhere, nor is he shut in the rustic pages of history.)

  1. And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
  2. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
  3. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
  4. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?

Oh my! Isn’t that like us sometimes! Our blessing, our hope, our answer to prayer, our need is right before our eyes and yet we fail to notice, to see, to acknowledge. Sometimes we go on weeping needlessly — victory has already been granted! Yet some of us prefer the doom and gloom, the pity party routine, the old poor-pitiful-me syndrome. I’ve felt like that lately, but it’s a trap, it’s a lie! It’s time we recognize our Savior has risen! Is alive! Is able! And he stands at the door of our heart knocking, asking, “Why weepest thou? Why are you seeking the things of this world? Who do you want — Jesus or Barabbas? Who are you looking for — sin or the Son?”

Some Reflections

Let’s take another look at this story of the resurrection. Try to imagine with me — for one, it was on a cold, dark Friday night that our Daddy Jesus was shut in that cold, damp, misty, stale, foul-smelling tomb. It was as if the whole world came to a stop: the birds stopped singing, the flowers refused to bloom and even stopped giving their sweet fragrance, butterflies refused to dance, and the sun refused to shine. Why, the very earth itself quaked and shuddered!

For many it was the agony of defeat. For the demons in hell it was party time. I’m sure Jesus in his humanity must have felt so all alone, so naked and exposed, so rejected and ridiculed, so hurt and shamed. Oh, the pain must have been unbearable, the humiliation so despairing. But he accepted the will of the Father anyway — not by sight but by faith! Ah, but three days later he arose in victory!

Sunday was a glorious resurrection day. All the demons in hell could not hold him back, could not restrain him nor his power. You see, he had a purpose, and that purpose was you and me! Not even death would have a hold on him — “Oh death, where is thy sting…”

Ah, but I imagine some of us may feel like he did on that dreadful Friday evening. You feel shut in, shut out, shut up — like all of hell has come against you, like you’re locked up in a dry, cold, damp and death-smelling tomb somewhere. If you could only see, only realize that there’s a resurrection Sunday coming your way! And it has your name written all over it. God is getting ready to resurrect your dead dreams and hopes! He will empty your tomb of all its affliction and misery, sin and shame, death and despair. Yes, for you it may be Friday night, but hold on — Sunday is coming just for you!

A Prayer

Dear Daddy, it’s me again — just wanted to say that I feel so privileged that You would grant me the blessing of prayer. I thank You, I worship You!

I ask You to take me and lead me the way that is right and pleasing to You. Help me to follow You through the path, though it may seem dark and frightening. Grant me faith! Oh my Father, I need you. I feel so weary and tired. Give me thy word, give me understanding and wisdom, and when times are hard and frustrating, remind me that You are Lord!

You are creator. You hold in the palm of your hand not only the earth and its elements, not only the storms that rage and the winds of adversity, but also my destiny, my very being, my life, my soul. Daddy, I ask for special grace to cover me when I fail, which is often at times. And when others fail me, remind me that You are faithful to forgive. Keep me from anger and vengeance, from the backbiting and critical spirit which I’m all too familiar with, from the negative, complaining spirit.

Oh, I have been such a bad example, such a phony — it’s so hard to imagine, let alone believe, that others will ever be able to forgive me. This is so hard to bear, it seems so impossible. You can’t blame them. But then again — thank You! It is written, “I can do all things through Christ,” “greater is He that is in me,” “with man these things are impossible but with God all things are possible,” “by this shall ye know that ye are my disciples, that ye have love one for another.” Oh, again, thank You for your word! Let it teach me daily. Please, Daddy, HELP ME!

I need you. You know, even though you seem so far away from me and my prayers, it seems as though the enemy has triumphed over me — but I will still say of the Lord, HE IS GOOD!

YOUR JUDGMENT IS RIGHT, YOUR PUNISHMENT IS JUST, YOU ARE FAITHFUL! I WORSHIP AND ADORE YOU JUST THE SAME. THANK YOU FOR CHANGING ME, FOR HELPING ME. EVEN IF OTHERS WON’T BELIEVE ME OR SEE IT IN ME, PLEASE KEEP ME FROM EVER GOING THAT WAY AGAIN. And please, dear Lord, watch over my dear and precious family. I plead the blood on their behalf. I pray a hedge of protection and provision over them. Send them your word daily. Wash them in your love and healing power always. Be their comfort and joy. Above all, keep them in the love of God! …AMEN! I LOVE YOU, MY LORD! Call me… AMEN