What Does Saturday Teach Us?
by Cindy Allen
I took a short road trip Friday. Just me and Jesus headed west to visit a person I love dearly. A person I pray for often. A person who is heartsick and unsure of the next move. I listened to a Bible study, then I turned the radio on. Seemed like a good way to spend Good Friday, but I kept finding myself looking to Saturday.
Have you ever wondered about the followers of Jesus on Saturday? How sad they must have felt. Some probably felt betrayed. Sadly, many probably left town before Sunday morning and it might have taken them days or weeks to hear the good news.
I feel like I am in the Saturday, and my friend is too. We have prayed, we have talked, we have waited, and we see no improvement in the situation. Does God even care?
As I was driving, I thought about the lessons we could learn from the seeming silence of God on the Saturday so long ago.
#1 God’s plans will NOT be stopped because of the work of His enemies, human or spiritual. By all appearances, Jesus was dead; the jig was up, as my grandparents would say. God’s plan had failed. But hang on, as they said on the radio, “Jesus said, ‘It is finished, not I am finished.’” It isn’t over until He says it is over. The Pharisees couldn’t stop him. Judas couldn’t stop him. Satan couldn’t stop him. And the same applies to God’s plan for each of us.
#2 Silence doesn’t equate with inactivity when God is concerned. I imagine that was the longest Sabbath e-v-e-r. What was God doing? Nothing, they saw God doing nothing. But he was busy, carrying on as if it was just a regular Saturday. And in our silence, He is busy too! The song “Way Maker” assures us of this. “Even when we don’t feel it, when we don’t see it, He’s working. He never stops working.”
#3 When the going gets tough, gather with friends. On Sunday morning, we see a group of Jesus’ followers gathered together. I bet they were praying, sharing, loving on each other. When I headed west this morning, I text a couple of friends to pray for me. I shared my heart with my brother on the way over there. And you know what, me going did not change the situation one bit, but my friend knew I loved him. I just needed to hug him and tell him that face to face. Our Christian Family is one of the biggest blessings God gives, use them.
#4 HOPE We often hope for things. I hope my husband suggests Mexican food when we go out. I hope it rains tomorrow like they have said. But there is a chance these will not happen. HOPE in God is different. In Him we have HOPE that can encourage us, motivate us, help us to keep on keeping on. There had to be some people on that Saturday long ago that hoped. They probably didn’t even know what they hoped for, it was an impossible situation, but they had walked and talked with Jesus. They trusted him; they had HOPE in him. So, in the waiting, in the silence, I will have hope. Not I hope it all works out; but HOPE in a God who can work it all out.
#5 Sunday ALWAYS follows Saturday. Your Saturday may last for a short time or seem to last forever. I want to encourage you to hang on. All HOPE is not lost, God is still on his throne, working, working, working. Even on Saturday.
Prayer: God, I am kind of tired of this particular Saturday. I want resolution, I want peace. But Jesus on the cross shows us that following you, doing your will, does not always lead us down an easy path. It does lead us down your path. God as we traverse that path, please encourage us, give us glimpses of your working. We trust God, but we are human and it is hard. Thank you for the assurance that Sunday always follows Saturday. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Scripture Readings: Read the story of Joseph in Genesis chapters 37-50. Most of us know the story but just spend some time letting God remind you he is always busy working on our behalf.
Response: Sometimes in the waiting anxiety builds. One thing I have learned to do is say the scripture “Be still and know that I am God” one word at a time. Adding a new word each time. It slows my breathing and calms my thoughts.
Look around for others who may be living through a Saturday and encourage them.
Pray without ceasing!
