Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. (50)
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; (51)
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, (52)
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. (53)
How perfectly fitting that, on this Good Friday, skies across our Eastern lands were filled with dark clouds, rains, and stormy winds, all reminiscent of and a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ’s death that shook the earth and gave way for the removal and washing away of our sins.
When I heard that today was going to be a stormy day, I actually looked forward to it, expecting and seeking to find peace and rest in the quiet and calm that a storm can bring.
The storm began a little later than I’d imagined, but by 11:30am, the wind had blown our trash can all the way from our curb to our front door. As the rains came down, our front yard began to host small puddles of overflowing water. The retention pond began to fill.
It was a peaceful day, even among the storm. I realized that several businesses had closed because of the inclement weather and that officials had closed the Skyway Bridge.
As our town and local Southeastern communities made adjustments to the day, my mind could not help but think of how fitting it was – a dark, yet beautiful storm on Good Friday, the day of our Lord’s death. That on this day, God had chosen to speak and to reveal Himself to the world through the voice of the storm so that people would come to know Him.
The Lord Jesus Christ gave His life on the cross so that the world through Him might be saved.
Are you looking to find peace? Are you looking for sweet relief in your life?
If you’re looking for a positive change – a new thing amid the storm – then I assure you that you can find it in the Lord.
If you’re searching, just say these words with me:
Lord, I’m looking for something new and refreshing, and I believe in your Son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to save me from my sins. I repent for my sins and I ask for your forgiveness and grace. Please come into my heart and release me from the bondage of sin. Thank you for this new life and for the removal of all things old. Thank you for your peace – I believe that I have new joy and can live life anew with you. In you I have found a friend. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.
After today’s storm, the skies took a moment’s rest and showed promises of “more to come.” After a few more showers and light winds and what seemed like could be a second round, the sun burst through the clouds so loudly and so brightly that it was nearly hard to look at with your eyes. I had to cover my eyes like a visor in order to be able to grab this photo:
You see, there really is a blessing in the presence of a storm. And it is something so great… something that will give so much vibrance and light and that will add so much value to your life. That is what Jesus’ dying on the cross did for all of us. In the midst of the unimaginable, in the midst of a shaking darkness, God fulfilled His promise – one of new life, miraculous light, and abundance to all of the earth.
– P.S., Kaye –
