Silence

 

Deafening silence

 

And your heart is heavy

and grief-striken

 

How can one hope

in such circumstances?

 

When God is silent?

 

He left

and despair is overwhelming

 

But fight your despair,

 

for even when there is death,

there is hope

 

for the true follower

of Jesus

 

All may be silent

for a time

 

But dawn will come

tomorrow

 

And you will see

that what was dead

 

will be alive!

 

So in this place

of silence and mourning,

 

Hope

 

The end of the story

has not yet come

 

And our Divine Jesus

will not remain silent

 

– Susie Stewart

 

Late in the afternoon a wealthy man from Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus, arrived. His name was Joseph. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate granted his request. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in clean linens, put it in his own tomb, a new tomb only recently cut into the rock, and rolled a large stone across the entrance. Then he went off. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary stayed, sitting in plain view of the tomb.

After sundown, the high priests and Pharisees arranged a meeting with Pilate. They said, “Sir, we just remembered that that liar announced while He was still alive, ‘After three days I will be raised.’ We’ve got to get that tomb sealed until the third day. There’s a good chance His disciples will come and steal the corpse and then go around saying, ‘He’s risen from the dead.’ Then we’ll be worse off than before, the final deceit surpassing the first.”

Pilate told them, “You will have a guard. Go ahead and secure it the best you can.” So they went out and secured the tomb, sealing the stone and posting guards.

– Matthew 27:57-66 (MSG)

 

Even in the unending shadows of death’s darkness, I am not overcome by fear. Because You are with me in those dark moments, near with Your protection and guidance, I am comforted.

– Psalm 23:4 (VOICE)

 

Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up. Expect God to get here soon.

– Psalm 31:24 (MSG)