A Prayer to See the Good on Good Friday and Every Day - Your Daily Prayer - April 18
A Prayer to See the Good on Good Friday and Every Day
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” - Colossians 1:19-20
Read or Listen Below:
The truth most of us have come to know is that the first Good Friday wasn’t so good to the bystanders on that actual day. What met the eye of every beloved follower of Jesus was one of the most gut-wrenching, sorrowful events. And it wasn’t until the redeeming moments at the empty tomb days later that anything good seemed to be. But then, was it ever so incredibly good? Better than good. It was the most blessed day the world had ever known. As Christians, we now know this deeply. We now cherish the immense sacrifice, praise, honor, and glorify God for the astounding miracle, and regularly remember the resurrection with awestruck reverence. So, we certainly can now look back and call it good.
I’ve never experienced a day as difficult as those who witnessed the crucifixion, but I’ve had my share of hard days. Days I definitely wouldn't have said held much good when my head hit my pillow that night. And I’m sure you’ve felt this repeatedly, too. Maybe even right now?
Does today and all that’s surrounding you look and feel good? I hope so. But chances are there’s something that isn’t going so great. That’s causing sadness, disappointment, frustration, or confusion. I’ve indeed found myself wrapped in some tough stuff lately.
But I want to encourage us both on this Good Friday—a glory-filled day we now know is good because of the holy goodness that came from it. Whatever you’re going through, whatever I’m going through, still contains good because it’s part of a really good plan. God’s perfect plan of redemption for you, your life, those around you, and the whole world, for that matter. I know it’s hard to see it that way most of the time. But reflect on your past hurts and disappointments with me—maybe you must dig years deep. Think through the events that followed your not-so-good moments, experiences, and seasons. Consider the people you met, the person you’ve become, the opportunities that arose from the struggle—many blessings you now thank God for. Those which you would say were surrounded by “good” because of the good God created through it all.
On the day we call Good Friday, God reconciled and redeemed all things through the bloodshed of his son Jesus. And it was so good because it was part of his most glorious plan. But this was just the beginning of the redemption story. It can serve as a reminder that a believer can be called good any day because he continues to redeem all things for his people. This is a promise for you and me.
I pray that acknowledging the good in Good Friday, because of the incredible blessing you know follows, might initiate a refreshed shift in perspective to a more hopeful view through your days and moments that don’t seem so good. I pray that today we remember the divine goodness of Good Friday and recognize that even the difficult days continue to guide and direct us toward a good plan designed by our good Father. Just like the first Easter, our good God will roll away the stone from the grave of every one of your days and resurrect something more beautiful than you ever imagined.
Let’s Pray:
God of Redemption, You are almighty, wonderful, and so good. Though thousands of years ago, there was immense grief over the blood-shedding sacrifice of your son, we can now call it good because of the blessed restoration of the resurrection. It is the most amazing gift the world has ever been given—the fullness of life with you forever. We deal with difficult things daily, but we know you promise to redeem it all. And for this, we can find good even in the things around us that don’t seem so good. Lord, it is good because everything is under your authority, and we know that you will turn everything around, just as your Word promises. We praise you for Good Friday, for reconciling all things through your son, and for the goodness you offer through every detail of our days. In Your Perfect Name, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/shuang paul wang
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