How much does the doctrine of the resurrection matter to your everyday life? In life, everyone experiences a vast range of ups and downs, laughs and tears, victories and defeats, and hopes and fears. But as a Christian, do you, or should you be expected to, respond to each of these wide ranging events and emotions, differently than an unbeliever? Does what you believe form and dictate your reactions? For the Psalmist in the text today, his confessions of what he believes definitely had an effect on his reactions. In particular, he trusted that the Almighty God he served could, and would, defend him, protect him, and even raise him up from the depths of the earth and enliven him. That is, the Psalmist's hope was a resurrection hope both metaphorically and actually. The hope of all of God's people is that, though we may suffer grave trials in this life, the trial of the grave does not prevail. In all of our ups and downs, it is this foundational hope. And as the Psalmist implies, where this hope is found, there is nothing but joy. So on this Resurrection Sunday, it is a good time to examine yourself whether or not you are delighting in the hope and promise of the resurrection. If you are downcast, could it be that you have lost your resurrection trust, hope, and joy? – Pastor Schlegel |
