April 7, 2014
When Hope Is Walking Right Beside You, Don’t Miss It
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20, NIV).
Friend to Friend
Have you ever faced a tough circumstance and wondered, God, where are You? That was the situation with many of Jesus’ followers after He was crucified and buried. Their hopes and dreams were sealed in the darkened tomb, and they didn’t know where to turn.
The same day that Peter and John discovered the empty tomb, two other the disciples were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. While discussing the tragic events of the past weekend, another man appeared and began to walk alongside them.
“What are you talking about?” the man asked.
“Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know about the things that happened over the past few days?
“What things?” the man asked.
Then the two disciples gave the traveler a blow-by-blow account of Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, burial, and disappearance from the tomb. As they talked, their eyes were blinded by despair, and they didn’t realize that hope was walking right alongside them. All they saw was the tragedy, but they missed seeing Jesus walking on the dusty road with them.
When they reached the village where they were going, they urged this “stranger” to join them for dinner. When He was at the table, Jesus assumed the role of host. He took the bread, gave thanks, broke the bread, and passed it to the men. At that point, I am sure a flood of memories returned to the men…memories of another meal where Jesus broke bread with His followers.
But perhaps what opened their eyes to this man’s true identity were the nail-scarred hands that held the bread. “Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight” (Luke 24:31 NIV).
Perhaps you’ve traveled down your own dusty road to Emmaus with circumstances leaving you confused, troubled, and depressed. If so, remember this my friend: just because you cannot see Jesus or sense His presence does not mean that He is not there.
He is walking the path with you. Jesus assured us with these words: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:3 NIV). “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NIV).
He gave His word. He gave His life.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, I know that You are always with me. Forgive me when I whine about being all alone. Forgive me when I whine that nobody understands my problems. I know that You understand all things, and that You are my hope Who is always walking right along the path with me.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
How do you think the men felt when they realized that the man in their presence was Jesus?
What do you think the realization did to their dashed hopes and dreams?
How would the realization that Jesus is always walking along the path with you change your reaction to disappointments and broken dreams?
Now let’s get this (Forgive me for sounding like a kindergarten teacher. I am preaching to myself today.) In regard to the path that you are on today, where is Jesus? Leave your answer on my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SharonJaynes.
More from the Girlfriends
Did you know that your scars are beautiful to God? He longs to turn your hurt into hope, your pain into purpose, and your messes into ministry. Don’t waste your sorrows! Allow God to use what you have gone through to be a blessing to others. To learn more, see my book, Your Scars are Beautiful to God: Finding Peace and Purpose in the Hurts of Your Past. It also includes a study guide for those who want to dig deeper into God’s Word. And for you married gals, I’d love for you to hop over and join us at the new Praying Wives Club at www.Facebook.com/ThePrayingWivesClub.
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