When He shall come with trumpet sound
O may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne

The Solid Rock 1834
By: Edward Mote (1797-1874)

Listen to this modern version of this classic hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is video content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

As we continue our journey through this classic hymn, ask yourself again today upon what are you truly building your hope. Let’s tune our hearts.

Trumpet

I am not quite sure what that instrument is in the photo above. It looks like it has the parts of a trumpet with some extra tubes and lots of bonus bells. It gives a better expression visually for what that long-awaited blast will possibly sound like aurally.

I am thankful for the concept of a trumpet, but I think we must be careful not to limit that sound by what we know. It will be unlike anything we have ever heard before. So much so that even thinking like a trumpet is dangerous because it will be so much greater.

Honestly, I can not even imagine how incredible that moment is going to be. And the fact that it has some music-like element is super cool. But I admittedly love music more than most.

When He shall come with trumpet sound

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 ESV

Oh what a glorious day that will be when we finally see Jesus returning for us. The sound of that trumpet will be the most awe-inspiring thing we have ever heard. Then we will look up to see the most wonderful sight we will have ever seen. 

Are you ready to hear that sound and the accompanying sight?

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and talk to Jesus about whether you are ready for His return. Ask Jesus to help you be ready.   Pray, “Jesus, help me be ready for Your return.”

Support

As if the sound of that trumpet and Christ’s return are not enough to try to fathom, think about being drawn up into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. It gives me “glory” bumps just thinking about it. I can not imagine what that will be like.

That is exactly what is going to happen. Every soul that has resolved to build their life on Jesus will be headed heavenward. Each at a different phase in the construction process to be sure, but all headed in the same direction.

Not everyone will be ready for that glorious day, however. It will come as a dreadful surprise. One they are simply not prepared for at all.

O may I then in Him be found

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 ESV

For many it will be an awful day because they will not be prepared, having built their lives on something other than the Rock of Christ. That is the only way to be certain you will be with the Lord, build your life on Him and His truths. Pray for those who are not prepared.

In Him. Our lives taking on the appearance of Christ. How does that happen? We must learn what He has said and do it. Sounds simple, but the only way to accomplish it is to daily live in His word allowing the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us.

RESONATE!
First take a moment to pray for those who are not prepared for that day, if you have not already done so. Maybe mention a few by name. Then ask the Spirit to help you live in Christ daily, showing some part of that today.

Jesus, thank You for promising to return and providing a way for me to be ready. Help me to point out that way to others and live the reality of my hope today. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Expectant Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 28.4 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

When He shall come with trumpet sound
O may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne

I have heard some powerful and beautiful trumpet playing, but it does not even begin to compare with the majesty of that coming blast. When we think of what it signals, it becomes even more extraordinary. Are you ready to hear that sound? Ask Jesus to help you be ready.

Jesus, help me be ready for Your return.

In Him. Our lives taking on the appearance of Christ. How does that happen? We must learn what He has said and do it. Sounds simple, but the only way to accomplish it is to daily live in His word allowing the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us. Ask the Spirit to help you be in Christ.

Spirit, help me live in Christ.

If you have tried to live in Christ you have come to realize that you can not do it in your own strength. It is impossible. The only way to achieve that righteous living is for Christ to dress you daily in His righteousness. Ask the Father to clothe you with the righteousness of Christ today.

Father, clothe me with the righteousness of Christ.

Faultless. How well do you know yourself? If you have any self-awareness at all and any knowledge of who Christ is, you know the only way to be faultless is for Christ to cover all your faults. Thanks be to God that is exactly what He does, now and forever more. Thank Jesus.

Jesus, thank You for making me faultless.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post Are You Ready for the Trumpet Sound? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
When He shall come with trumpet sound – https://pixabay.com/photos/subject-musical-instrument-3647587/
O may I then in Him be found – https://pixabay.com/photos/clouds-sky-bright-daylight-light-1282314/

His oath His covenant His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay

The Solid Rock 1834
By: Edward Mote (1797-1874)

Listen to this modern version of this classic hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is video content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

As we continue our journey through this classic hymn, ask yourself again today upon what are you truly building your hope. Let’s tune our hearts.

Oaths

We humans are not very good at fulfilling our oaths. Think of the pledges you have made, the vows you have taken. Have you kept them perfectly? Probably not. This is partly true because you lack the capacity in and of yourself to be able to do so. Sometimes we just change our minds and do not want to keep our promises anymore.

Not so with God.

He makes oaths. He makes covenants to keep those oaths. He gave His blood as a symbol of the covenant and then it became the guarantee. Because of His shed blood, Jesus has the capacity to keep His covenant and His oath. Thanks be to God!

His oath His covenant His blood

Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15 ESV

What He has said, what He has promised and what He has assured with His death changes everything. This includes all of the overwhelming circumstances we face, but certainly our end and the end of all things. Rejoice that you are called to receive the promised eternal inheritance 

God makes and keeps the best promises. He makes them because He loves us and it is in His nature to do so. He keeps them because He is willing to do whatever it takes to be able to. Thank Him for His willingness to make and keep His promises.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and talk to Jesus about the oaths you have made. Ask for His forgiveness if you have failed Him in breaking any. Accept His forgiveness. Then thank Him that He is the great Promise Keeper. Pray, “God, thank You for promises made and kept.”

Support

Have you ever stood and the edge of floodwaters? Watching a video can be terrifying enough, but being at the edge of such a force is unforgettable. The sheer power is daunting.

Even if you have never been near a flood of water, you have probably felt a similar feeling in the face of some other circumstance in your life. Maybe a single circumstance or a series of them left you feeling as though you were going to be swept away by their force. There is hope even in those moments.

Support me in the whelming flood

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV

There are any number of situations that evoke fear in us and cause us to be dismayed. God promises to support us with His very presence to strengthen, help and uphold us when those situations are simply more than we can bear. Thank Him for being your God.

Think again of flood waters. Maybe a tsunami is an even more graphic picture. Nothing can withstand those forces. Our souls fight against that same kind of seemingly irresistible power at times. God supports us even then. Praise Him for His strength and help.

RESONATE!
When you stand at the edge or in the whelming flood, you are thankful for anything solid to stand on or cling to. Jesus is that something solid, come what may. Determine today to trust Him when the next flood waters rise. Pray, “Lord, I praise You for Your strength and help.”

Jesus, thank You for being my solid rock when everything else gives way. Help me to trust You today so when the storms come and the waters rise I am resolved. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Earnest Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 28.3 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

His oath His covenant His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay

God makes and keeps the best promises. He makes them because He loves us and it is in His nature to do so. He keeps them because He is willing to do whatever it takes to be able to. Thank Him for His willingness to make and keep His promises.

God, thank You for promises made and kept.

Think of flood waters. Maybe a tsunami is an even more graphic picture. Nothing can withstand those forces. Our souls fight against that same kind of seemingly irresistible power at times. God supports us even then. Praise Him for His strength and help.

Lord, I praise You for Your strength and help.

Desperation and despair. We have all felt some degree of both when things in our lives begin to crumble. Sometimes it seems like everything is falling apart. In those moments our souls have a choice to make. Ask the Spirit to remind you that you always have a choice.

Spirit, remind me that I always have a choice.

And that choice is to trust Jesus to be your hope and stay. He is secure when all else is failing. Will you trust Him? Will you determine today to believe He is your hope and stay when all around your soul gives way? Tell Jesus your hope is in Him alone.

Jesus, my hope is in You alone.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time,
Be Resonant.

The post Resting Even When You Wrestle appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
His oath His covenant His blood – https://pixabay.com/photos/wedding-wedding-rings-oath-997631/
Support me in the whelming flood – https://pixabay.com/photos/high-water-shield-setting-water-392707/

When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In ev’ry high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil

The Solid Rock 1834
By: Edward Mote (1797-1874)

Listen to this modern version of this classic hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is video content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

As we continue our journey through this classic hymn, ask yourself again today upon what are you truly building your hope. Let’s tune our hearts.

Veils

Sometimes it is simply hard to see where God is.

We all face situations that leave us wondering how God is at work. We ask how He is going to work this together for my good. We struggle to understand why He would allow such difficulty into our lives and begin to ask if we have brought it on ourselves, or worse still, if God even cares.

If you are honest with yourself, you have probably felt all these things at one time or another. When Jesus’ lovely face is veiled from our eyes, it makes us wonder where He went, or where we went wrong. Darkness is not always our doing, but it is always allowed by God’s design. Especially then, we must remember that His face, and everything about Him for that matter, is lovely.

It may be veiled, but it is no less true.

When darkness veils His lovely face

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son…Colossians 1:13 ESV

Whether spiritual or physical darkness ensues, we can rest in the deliverance of our God. Even when we can not see Him, we can rest in the fact that we are in His kingdom of light, no longer a kingdom of darkness. Ask Jesus to help you trust when you can not see His face.

There are times in every life when things happen that obscure our view of God’s beauty. It is as if there is a veil that hides Him from us. Do not be discouraged when this happens because every believer experiences this. Simply ask Him for the faith to believe He is still there.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and ask the Lord to help you trust when darkness comes. It is easier to trust in the light, and thankfully God brings many times when light abounds, but darkness does not change Him. It merely presents us with the opportunity to deepen our faith and trust. Ask Him today for that kind of faith. Pray, “Father, give me the faith to believe when I can not see.” 

Rest

Do you remember what it felt like to place your faith in the grace of God to redeem you from your sins? Through no merit of your own, Jesus gave His life for you. Recall how lovely that grace was when you first believed.

Darkness and veils can make us feel like that grace may have changed, or we may have misinterpreted it. Neither are true. God’s grace is the same as the moment you first received it by faith. You did not exaggerate it, or overestimate it. It is marvelous, vast and free.

Storms come. When they do, we can find ourselves questioning if we understood what Jesus offered us. We can think the life of faith is easy because of the rest we find in Christ. But that rest becomes real when unrest washes over us through challenging circumstances.

Circumstances change. Jesus’ grace does not. Rest in it.

I rest on His unchanging grace

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 ESV

We rest by hearing and doing what Jesus taught us to do. We do not simply stop doing. Sometimes we must start doing, and keep doing. These actions will make us wise and help us to build the foundation of our faith on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. Are you resting today?

If we believe that His grace is unchanging when darkness and difficulty come, we can find rest because our faith in Him is unshaken. This is simple, but not easy. You cannot change His grace, and neither can your circumstances. Thank God for His unchanging grace.

RESONATE!
Resting is active. Sometimes we think that resting is only stillness, but it can require great exertion at times. We are obviously talking about more than just the physical, but the mental, emotional and spiritual as well. Take a few moments right now to think about resting. God’s unchanging grace provides an atmosphere where that can occur. Thank Him for that right now.  Pray, “God, thank You for your unchanging grace.”

Jesus, thank You for your lovely face and unchanging grace, and the incredible way in which they are connected. Help me to strain and press to see You, even when You are veiled from my eyes. Teach me to rest even while I struggle. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Active Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 28.2 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In ev’ry high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil

There are times in every life when things happen that obscure our view of God’s beauty. It is as if there is a veil that hides Him from us. Do not be discouraged when this happens because every believer experiences this. Simply ask Him for the faith to believe He is still there.

Father, give me the faith the believe when I can not see.

If we believe that His grace is unchanging when darkness and difficulty come we can find rest because our faith in Him is unshaken. This is simple, but not easy. You cannot change His grace, and neither can your circumstances. Thank God for His unchanging grace.

God, thank You for your unchanging grace.

Storms come. They are unavoidable. They are also opportunities to expand your capacity to be filled with peace in situations that are not peaceful. Think of a storm you have faced. Maybe you are facing one right now. Thank the Holy Spirit for helping you rest in the storms.

Spirit, thank You for helping me rest in the storms.

This is powerful imagery. An anchor holds a ship in place even when the waves may be tossing it about, all without being seen. Jesus is that anchor for our souls. He holds us in place even when the most violent storms assail us, though His presence is often veiled. Thank Him.

Jesus, thank You for being my anchor within the veil.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time,
Be Resonant.

The post Resting Even When You Wrestle appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
When darkness veils His lovely face – https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-young-african-girl-look-up-5919549/
I rest on His unchanging grace – https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-sunset-humility-devotion-2981216/

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

The Solid Rock 1834
By: Edward Mote (1797-1874)

Listen to this modern version of this classic hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is video content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

As we begin our journey through this classic hymn ask yourself again today upon what are truly building your hope. Let’s tune our hearts.

Hope

Here we have an opportunity to investigate the foundation of our hope. Over the next four weeks we will look at different reasons why Jesus Christ is the superior foundation for our hope. Along the way, we will be circling around the choice of building on sinking sand, any other source, or solid rock, Jesus, as found in the parable of the wise and foolish builders [Matthew 7:24-27]. We will look primarily to Christ for the foundation He provides, and then ponder why He is the ultimate foundation, much like studying the real thing to be able to identify counterfeits.

And there are many.

Many different things offer us hope. We sometimes choose them over Christ. We are all guilty of making poor choices at times, and it is important to acknowledge this and make an alternate, better choice moving forward.

As we examine the foundation of our hope, trust the Holy Spirit to help you see honestly and clearly on what you are building. Own those choices, and correct faulty ones. Jesus stands ready to be the Rock of your faith foundation.

My hope is built on nothing less

…you who through [Christ] are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. I Peter 1:20b-21 ESV

Our hope is in Jesus alone. Through Him we have the faith to believe that God raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory. It is tempting at times to put our hope in any number of other things, but ask Him again today for the faith to build your hope on nothing less than Christ.

Where have you built your hope? Look at your life today and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the foundation of your hope. Is it in your family, or your finances? Maybe in your own righteousness or reputation. Be careful. Every other source is less than building on Jesus Christ alone. 

RESONATE!
Take a few moments and let the Holy Spirit search you and reveal on what you are building your hope. Many people fail to do a regular faith evaluation and end up struggling to withstand the storms of life because their foundation is weak. Pray a simple pray like this, “Spirit, reveal the foundation of my hope”, then silently wait for His work. 

Jesus

It all revolves around Jesus. A life of genuine faith must be built upon Him and His teachings or it will be weak. The parable mentioned above talks about the varying foundations of sand or rock, and the ability of each to withstand storms. That is the real test of a foundation. The storms of life are those tests for our faith.

There are many ways to build your life, many foundations. You may have inherited a way from your parents. You may have chosen a very different path than theirs. You may have had another influence who impacted those life decisions.

Whomever that was, the confidence you place in their influence must be measured against the righteousness of Christ. They may have been generally successful and happy, but how did they handle the storms of life? Every way that does not build upon Christ is ultimately futile if it does not have a way to deal with the largest storm of life, sin. Does your way of living have a way to deal with it?

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness

…you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers…with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.  1 Peter 1:18a, 19a ESV

His blood and His righteousness ransomed us from the futile ways we knew before Him. They were the price God paid to give us hope. Nothing else could have ever given us this kind of enduring hope. Thank Jesus for shedding His blood to give you hope.

There is no substitute for building our hope on the foundation of Jesus’ blood and righteousness. Nothing even close. Every other source is like sinking sand compared to the solid rock of Jesus. They will all fail you. Jesus never will. Affirm your hope in Him alone.

RESONATE!
Take a few moments right now to do just that. Affirm your hope in Christ alone. Simply tell Him, “Jesus, I affirm my hope in You alone” and then rest in that hope before moving on with the balance of your day.

Jesus, thank You for the hope I have in You. Help me to routinely evaluate my foundation so I can be certain I will be able to withstand the storms of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Honest Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

Like what you’re finding here?  Fill out the form to the right to get an email with each fresh post and updates of new tools to help you be Resonant.

Please comment below and share if you have found this helpful in your journey of being more resonant.

Video 28.1 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

Where have you built your hope? Look at your life today and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the foundation of your hope. Is it in your family, or your finances? Maybe in your own righteousness or reputation. Be careful. Every other source is less than building on Jesus Christ alone. 

Spirit, reveal the foundation of my hope.

There is no substitute for building our hope on the foundation of Jesus’ blood and righteousness. Nothing even close. Every other source is like sinking sand compared to the solid rock of Jesus. They will all fail you. Jesus never will. Affirm your hope in Him alone.

Jesus, I affirm my hope in You alone.

We must declare like the hymn writer that we dare not trust any other alluring foundation, but the truth is, we all do at times. Confess to Jesus there are times you place your hope elsewhere. Then ask for His forgiveness for those times you have failed to trust Him.

Jesus, forgive me for failing to always trust You. 

We aspire to a constant trust in Jesus. As the Spirit reveals Christ to us, this is what we long to do. Acknowledge you need help in this grand pursuit and ask the Holy Spirit to be that help so you can wholly lean on the unmatched strength, merit  and glory of Jesus Christ.

Spirit, help me trust entirely in Jesus.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post What is the Foundation of Your Faith? appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
My hope is built on nothing less – https://pixabay.com/photos/footing-shoes-concrete-foundation-6036253/
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness – https://pixabay.com/photos/jesus-jesus-christ-crucifixion-5703825/

Vainly they watch His bed Jesus my Saviour
Vainly they seal the dead Jesus my Lord

Death cannot keep his prey Jesus my Saviour
He tore the bars away Jesus my Lord

Christ Arose 1874
By: Robert Lowry (1826-1899)

Listen to this modern version of this resurrection hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

Below is video content always available as part of an extensive archive of resources. We have lots of tools and options designed to help you be Resonant!  Check them out today and please consider becoming a Subscriber to support our mission of providing these tools to everyone with access to the internet!!

Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

As we conclude our Easter celebration this week think about His resurrection and make each stanza your response of worship by praying through it. Let’s tune our hearts.

Keeping Watch

Soldiers were watching over the place the disciples had laid Jesus the night of His death. Interestingly, there were some folks keeping watch the night of His birth as well. That is about the only thing those two night had in common.

At His birth, shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks by night. At His death, soldiers were keeping watch over His tomb. At His birth, He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. At His death, He was wrapped in grave clothes and laid in a stone-cold tomb. At His birth, no one knew He had arrived. At His death, everyone thought He was gone. At His birth, He was the son of an unknown carpenter. At His death, He was the King of the Jews.

Vainly they watch His bed Jesus my Saviour

So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. Matthew 27:66 ESV

The Jews were concerned Jesus disciples would come and take His body then assert He had risen as He promised, so they pleaded with Pilate who let them seal the tomb and post a guard. They did not realize their seal and watch would be useless. Those things could not stop the Resurrected Christ. 

They did not expect Jesus to walk out of the tomb on His own. That same resurrection power is at work in the lives of all who believe. Do you believe?

RESONATE!
What difference is the resurrection making for you today? Are there and “stones” others may have placed in your way that you are letting stop you today? Ask the Spirit to help you identify them and roll them away.  As they are removed give praise to the Risen One and walk out of your tomb!

Making Tracks

Have you ever thought about the soldiers as the stone was rolling away? We know what the angelic message was for the disciples who arrived after the stone was rolled away, but not what may have been said to the soldiers, if anything. The Scriptures tell us they were so afraid they shook and became like dead men. This image captures a moment of confusion and terror which seems pretty accurate to me.

Were some of them the same ones from the crucifixion? Did any of them come to the same conclusion as the centurion, “Surely this was the son of God”? After seeing what they saw, how were they able to repeat the story they were paid and told to tell?

Their sealing of the tomb and watch of the same were both in vain, but at least they were alive. As Roman soldiers deserting your post was punishable by death. Even though reassured by the Jewish leaders, it seems reasonable they would have been uncertain they would remain alive.

How will you respond to the broken seal?

Vainly they seal the dead Jesus my Lord

And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. Luke 24:2-3 ESV

The soldiers saw the truth yet maintained a lie. His disciples found an empty tomb and still struggled to believe. Who are you more like?

I wonder how often we are guilty of the soldiers denial or the disciples unbelief, or at least slow belief. Jesus has shown us time and time again His victory over the grave. Do you sometimes struggle to believe? Praise the Lord for His patience.

They placed a seal over the tomb so they could verify if it had been opened, presumably so they could offer that as evidence His body was still there. Jesus removed all doubt by not only breaking the seal but rolling the stone away. Are there any seals you have allowed others to place over your faith? Ask Jesus to break any seal others may have set on you.

RESONATE!
Unbelief is easy. Especially when you allow others to seal the truth of your faith by evoking some fear. Will you climb down into the tomb, invite others to so the same, and expose the reality of what Jesus did? Do not be like the soldiers who denied the truth. Be like the disciples who declared it.

Jesus, help me to have the courage to stand for truth. Break the seals others may have placed on me to silence Your story. Help me walk in resurrection power today and every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Useful Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

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Video 27.3 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

Vainly they watch His bed Jesus my Saviour
Vainly they seal the dead Jesus my Lord

Death cannot keep his prey Jesus my Saviour
He tore the bars away Jesus my Lord

They posted guards so Jesus’ disciples would not be able to come and take His body. They did not expect Jesus to walk out of the tomb on His own. That same resurrection power is at work in the lives of all who believe. Is there anything you are letting stop you today?

Spirit, roll my stones away today.

They placed a seal over the tomb so they could verify if it had been opened, presumably so they could offer that as evidence His body was still there. Jesus removed all doubt by not only breaking the seal but rolling the stone away. Ask Jesus to break any seal others may have set on you.

Jesus, break the seals others have placed on me.

Death is a relentless predator. He thought he had won when Jesus died, and that he could hold his prey. Wrong! When Jesus exited the grave He demonstrated power over death, the same power that is at work in all who believe and one day will raise us up. Thank Him for that power.

Jesus, thank You for resurrection power.

Satan thought he had imprisoned Jesus, taking Him captive in His death, but Jesus tore away the bars of that presumed prison.  We will do the same, and can even live in victory over lesser prisons daily. Ask the Spirit to help you live free in resurrection power today.

Spirit, help me live free in resurrection power.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post An Empty Bed and A Broken Seal appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Vainly they watch His bed Jesus my Saviour – https://cosmiccomicgeek.com/2020/12/the-mission-impossible-of-jesus-the-son-of-god/#.YHSDOi2caRs
Vainly they seal the dead Jesus my Lord – https://cosmiccomicgeek.com/2020/12/the-mission-impossible-of-jesus-the-son-of-god/#.YHSDOi2caRs