Morning by Morning—Daily Prayer Journey with Tommy Hays: "Fear and Great Joy" after the Resurrection

Monday, April 13, 2020

"Fear and Great Joy" after the Resurrection - Morning by Morning, April 13, 2020

Morning by Morning, April 13 - Both "Fear and Great Joy" after the Resurrection

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart, as I begin my day centered in You. ...

"So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word" (Matthew 28:8).

At the empty tomb, the angel spoke to the women seeking Jesus, "Do not be afraid" (v. 5). He declared those famous words to them, "He is not here; for He is risen!" (v. 5). And he invited them to come and see for themselves the empty tomb of Jesus (v. 6). Then he spoke to them the words You gave him to speak to their hearts about what was to come next (v. 7).

Surely they were so excited and so expectant of all that God had done and all that God was about to do. Surely they were filled with great joy! And they were. But at the same time, Your Word says they left the empty tomb that day "with fear and great joy" even as they "ran to bring (Your) disciples word" of this great news (v. 8).

What about us? In these days of great joy in celebrating Your resurrection, great joy in knowing Your Word will not fail and You're at work in whatever we face, can we also struggle with fear at the same time? Even as Your disciples who have witnessed the victory of the cross and the celebration of the empty tomb? Even as those who are hearing Your words, even experiencing angelic encounters, full of joy for what God has done and expectantly excited about what God is about to do? Even as we "run" with the words You've given us to encourage Your disciples with the good news that fills our hearts?

The joy is from You, but the fear is not. "My heart is glad and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.... You show me the path of life. In Your Presence there is fullness of joy!" (Psalm 16:0-11) "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (1 Timothy 1:7). But even if we feel afraid in the face of all the shock and awe of what's going on around us, even in the face of the unknown of what will come next, the fear doesn't have to steal our joy. We can fully acknowledge both our struggles with fear and our exuberance of joy, for You are with us through it all, for Your resurrection power is real!

The promises and the power of the Word of God never grow old: "If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you" (Romans 8:11). "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry, 'Abba, Father! The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together!" (Romans 8:15-17).

As we "run" with the word of Your good news in the joy of the resurrection of Jesus, we cry out "Abba, Father!" as we remember we are children of God. By the power of Your grace, fear will not steel our joy and not knowing all the details about what lies ahead and what You're about to do will not keep us from trusting in the One who already sees every day to come. As children of God, filled with the Spirt of God, we're excited and expectant to look and see what You will do! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

My friend, may you be filled with great joy, even as you face any struggles with feelings of fear in all the uncertainty that surrounds us because the One who surrounds you with His Presence holds your days in His hands and holds you in His heart, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!