At the time of this writing, we just celebrated Easter last weekend. One of the songs we sang mentioned Friday and Jesus’ dying. Even he himself said, “It is finished.” One would think if Jesus said it, then it must really be over. But what about that coming back to life after three days part he used to talk about? It must have been difficult to wait and see if he was telling the truth or just dreaming.
What are you waiting to see what God will do? Lead you to a job or your spouse? Tell you what the next chapter in your life is? Or perhaps heal you? Maybe it’s to provide finances to help you pay a bill. I’m sure whatever it is, it’s difficult to wait. I have a close friend who is and has been waiting for several weeks to get results concerning an issue in his body. I think it is taking a toll on him, even though he portrays faith and bravery.
What is worse, I think, is knowing that God has spoken something, but it has not yet come to pass. I used to ask God, “When will I get married?” All He ever said in reply was, “Soon.” “That’s great! Thanks, God. I’ll put that on the calendar!” According to his watch, I guess it was.
Jesus died on Friday. Saturday must have seemed so dark. Perhaps even hopeless. I believe some of his disciples went back to their old way of life as an answer to the question, “Now what?” You may be on Saturday, in your waiting for an answer from God. Don’t go anywhere. Don’t try to figure out his timing, and for sure don’t take his silence as an answer. Just keep praying, keep asking, and keep believing that He loves you and will take care of you. There is nothing that you can do to force his hand or to speed things up. As if putting an extra $20.00 in the offering plate is going to impress God.
Sitting in the waiting room is hard. If you let the devil play with your mind, fear, worry, dread, and other bad thoughts can creep in. Don’t let them. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (NIV) Who wins the battle in your mind, while you are waiting, is key to the victory. You learn a lot about God in the waiting and about yourself. One thing I have learned in life is this: every trial has an end. You just need to make sure that when that day comes, you are still holding the hand of Jesus.
Copyright © 2026 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.
My neighbor, across the street, is taking down his own tree, as you can see in the photo. I looked out the window and commented, “That tree looks naked.” I laughed, but then realized it will no longer serve its purpose. The tree’s beauty will no longer be admired. The shade, the tree once provided, the comfort, will no longer be there.
Do you know the first thing Jesus said, when he exited the tomb? “Ta-Da!” Answered a third grader in a Sunday school class one Easter. He probably didn’t, but should have. Perhaps he said, “I told you!” I don’t really know, but it doesn’t matter. What does count is what he did for you and me by dying, being the perfect sacrifice for our wrong doing, and then defeating death at its own game.
He laid as still as he could. Any movement reminded him of the flogging his back took. The soldier placed the nail with the tip pressing his palm. He saw the other soldier rear back with the hammer. He turned his head. Bam! The nail drove through his flesh pinning him to the cross. That nail represented the times I took something that wasn’t mine.
There was an emphasis on wearing your “Sunday best” when I was growing up. Every week at church most would be decked out in the nicest piece of wardrobe in their closet. “You should look your best when going to church,” was often heard. Believe it or not, in some churches, the hats worn on Easter are so large one cannot see the pastor when sitting behind such monstrosities.
brady, mark a. 