Matthew 28:18-20

“All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me!”

One aspect of the resurrection of Jesus that I find so comforting is how it shows the reality that nothing can or will derail YHWH’s master plan. The world did its worst to Jesus. At that time, the Roman cross was the worst thing the world could inflict upon you to destroy you (from what I understand in my studying). It seems God was showing us the most terrible thing so that He could show us the most beautiful and greatest thing that could, and indeed would, come out of it on the other side. Same with the apostle Paul. I’m gonna take this anti-Christian jack-hole butt-head and turn Him into my great messenger, witness, and prolific writer of Me.

Nothing can derail God. Nothing can ultimately derail Love. The worst this world can do to us is turned into the tiniest bump in the road on God’s scale. (This is not to diminish its significance, i.e. the resurrection. This is also not meant to diminish human suffering either.)

So may we take some comfort today by viewing  our day-to-day always within the grand scheme of YHWH’s plan and Jesus’ ultimate authority that was given Him. Jesus is always with us. Remember this in our suffering. He is right there. Remember what He can and will do with that suffering.

The more we become like Him and want the same things He wants, the closer we will feel to Him. If God feels distant, it is because we are so dissimilar to Him, or because our desires are so off from His. People who are very close generally want the same things in life.

Proverbs 28:9

If you refuse to obey what you have been taught, your prayers will not be heard.

Proverbs 28:13

If you hide your sins, you will not succeed. If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy.

Proverbs 28:23

Those who correct others will later be liked, more than those who give false praise.

May we be the gentle yet admonishing mirror for each other. As my good friend Rex Fisher once told me, “Don’t sacrifice Christ for ‘Nice.'”

Proverbs 28:25-26

A greedy person causes trouble, but the one who trusts YHWH will succeed. Those who trust in themselves are foolish, but those who live wisely will be kept safe.