Saturday, March 22, 2008

Defeated


I was just thinking of that first Saturday after the Crucifixion. I wonder what the disciples thought as they woke from this horrible nightmare....

This can't be real.

We really thought he was the Messiah.

He failed.

What do we do now?

The cross and its results spelled defeat to everyone. It was clear that Jesus was not the Messiah because he was dead. Now what do they do? Where do they go? Who can they trust? Should they hide?

This day began with great clarity- DEFEATED! I was thinking about these 11 men who had given their lives to follow Jesus for those 3 years. They saw him raise the dead, feed thousands, do miracles...they believed in him. But now he's dead....how could they have been so wrong? Who can they trust now? What do they do? They gave their lives to this man and his message....all hope is crushed.

How often in our own lives will we wake up to a day like this that introduces itself with great clarity- DEFEATED! Everything has gone wrong. It seems that God has failed us. All hope is gone. Where do we go now? What do we do now that failure has clearly declared its victory?

I can't imagine the disciples thoughts, their confusion, their utter hopelessness....everything had turned sour, all hope was gone. It was over. Now what do they do?

What they don't know yet is that God isn't finished. This is all part of the plan. He meant for this to happen. Just wait....just wait until morning. Tomorrow you will see. Tomorrow your hope will find new fuel to ignite it. Tomorrow will change everything. Wait until tomorrow. Just wait....you won't believe what God will do.

Your day of greatest defeat will find its greatest victory in what God will do in the morning...just wait. God isn't done yet. Just wait......

5 comments:

Brandon and Jenny said...

Amen! And thank you for that reminder. It hits home very much for us right now. What an encouragement that God is not finished. Wait until morning!

Anonymous said...

great insights & real life application, Mike!
thanks,
Steve

Heidi Day said...

I forwarded your post to my sister and brother-in-law in Kansas who lost their 21 year old son in a car accident one month ago today. What great encouragement thi post will be to them as they grieve and try to understand.

Thank you for the time you spend on your blog. Sometimes it's exactly what someone needs to hear that day.

Mike Messerli said...

Heidi,

thank you for your comments. I will be praying for them. If I can help in any way do let me know.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Thanks for that! Your last paragraph is so profound! "Your day of greatest defeat will find its greatest victory in what God will do in the morning...just wait. God isn't done yet. Just wait......" That is so encouraging! Thanks Mike!
SM