Even while Jesus was in the grave, His enemies could not rest. The chief priests and Pharisees remembered His promise to rise, and in their fear they tried to make His resurrection impossible. They secured Pilate’s approval, stationed Roman soldiers, sealed the stone, and did everything humanly possible to keep Jesus in the tomb.
But in God’s providence, their schemes only strengthened the proof of Christ’s victory. The guarded, sealed tomb became undeniable evidence that the resurrection was real. Their attempts to stop God became instruments to glorify Him. Stopping the risen Christ would have been as impossible as halting the sunrise.
This is how God has always worked for His people. Stephen’s persecution scattered believers—and the gospel with them (Acts 8:4). Paul’s imprisonment produced letters that still nourish the church worldwide. Every attempt to crush Christ’s people has only caused the gospel to advance. The blood of the martyrs truly became the seed of the church. Hardship has never hindered God’s purposes; it has only driven His people nearer to Christ and has made them cling more closely to the throne of grace and the Bible
In days of difficulty, fix your eyes not on the pressures around you but on the unchanging purpose of God. The risen Christ rules, and He weaves all things—even the schemes of evil men—to bring blessing to His people.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are the risen One whom no power on earth can hold back. When opposition rises and circumstances trouble us, give us grace to fix our eyes on You and Your unchanging purpose. Use even what seems against us to draw us nearer to You and to advance Your glory. Strengthen our faith to trust Your sovereign hand, and help us walk in confidence that Your resurrection guarantees our own resurrection and that ultimately ALL will be well. Amen.
- The germinating seed for these devotional thoughts and prayer come from…
J.C. Ryle’s “Daily Readings from All Four Gospels” edited by Robert Sheehan.
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