Pivotal Day!
There have been and are special days that have happened in my life over the years. I remember some sad days, like when my kids left home. I wanted them to grow up and move into adult hood, but it was a hard hit to my heart. There have been other days that were amazing like when my children or grandchildren were born. I felt like I would burst at the seams with joy in my heart. Pivotal days changed the course and trajectory of my life.
Today we celebrate a Pivotal Day – Jesus rose from the dead! He’s alive. He conquered death once and for all. There now really no need to fear death (even though we do). He has but death in its place. He took the sins of the world to the cross and was crucified with the sins of the world on His shoulder. On the third day He rose from the dead.
Hannah and Elkanah had a pivotal day. Hannah had prayed for a son. She had promised the Lord that if He gave her a son, she would give him up to the service of the Lord. The pivotal day came and Hannah had a prayer of praise for the Lord. Check this out…
1Then Hannah prayed:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord!
The Lord has made me strong.
Now I have an answer for my enemies;
I rejoice because you rescued me.
2 No one is holy like the Lord!
There is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.
3 “Stop acting so proud and haughty!
Don’t speak with such arrogance!
For the Lord is a God who knows what you have done;
he will judge your actions. (1 Samuel 2:1-3 NLT)
I imagine some tears as Hannah and her husband head home. She was profoundly grateful to the Lord for the gift of her son. She had made a promise to the Lord and she kept it. I imagine that Hannah prayer for her son the rest of his life. He becomes one of the greatest judges ever in Israel.
I was moved by the depth of devotion of Hannah. She trusted the Lord. She kept her promise. I remember when my children were small, I prayed for them each night as I tucked them in bed. I prayed that they would grow up loving God and knowing how much God loved them. I must confess that I haven’t prayed that simple prayer recently, but the story of Hannah reminded me of the power of prayer.
Today we celebrate Jesus coming back to life after His death on a cross. This pivotal event changed the course of history and the weight of this event is still changing lives. I’m praying that today becomes a pivotal day is the lives of so many as they take a closer look at Jesus. His love is beyond description and understanding. He brought with Him grace and mercy. Through Jesus, we get to see the very heart of God Himself. What a day in history. He’s Alive!!!
Pressing On!
Dwayne