EXPLORING GOOD FRIDAY

Why aren’t my prayers being answered?

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” - Matthew 27:46

On Good Friday, we witness a third unanswered prayer - perhaps the most agonizing of them all. Nail to a cross and slowly suffocating, the Son cried out to the Father: "Why have you forsaken me?"And there was no response from heaven. No dove descending. No booming voice. No answer to prove the question wrong.


Day 19: Victory!

Pause

“From birth, I was cast on you; from my mothers womb, you have been my God. Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.” - Psalm 22:10-11

Reflect

  • Bible: “‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.” - 1 Corinthians 15:55-58

  • Book: “‘This is not the worst thing to ever happen!’ wrote my friend, Margaret Lee, as she lay dying of cancer. ‘Cancer is so limited. It cannot cripple love, shatter hope, corrode faith, eat away peace, destroy confidence, kill friendship, shut out memories, silence courage, quench the Spirit, or lessen the power of Jesus.’” - (p. 107)

Ask

  • Do you believe in life after death? Why or why not?

  • Why is it important to remember that there is life before death, and even life in the midst of death?

  • What might the resurrection power of Jesus look like in the midst of your struggle today?

  • In what practical way does the Lord fill you afresh with God’s Holy Spirit?

  • While all the following qualites are important, rank the following in order of your preference: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

  • Which quality above are you strong at and which one do you need to work on?

Yield

The hymn of surrender, “All to Jesus I Surrender,” by Judson w. Van DeVenter:

All to Jesus I surrender

All to Him I freely give

I will ever love and trust Him

In His presence daily live

I surrender all, I surrender all

All to Thee my blessed Saviour

I surrender all.

Amen.



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