Living the Nightmare

Warriors Arise: May 3rd, 2020

As recored in Luke 24:12, "...he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened." When John and Peter arrive they are not greeted by the angel. They only see and empty tomb with linen clothes lying by themselves. In John 20:10, "Then the disciples went away again to their own homes."

Mary Magdalene followed Peter and John to the tomb. What was she expecting Peter and John to see? Even though Peter heard the message and left immediately for the tomb, John followed Peter, caught up to him and then went ahead to the tomb. John looked inside the tomb but waited for Peter before entering the tomb. The angel who had spoken to Mary, Mary Magdalene, and Solame was no longer there. Only the linen cloths lying by themselves.

There comes a time in our lives when we have encountered the Almighty God whose love never fails and need to take the time to ponder, marvel at what God has done. But for Mary Magdalene, who followed Peter and John back to the tomb. I wonder if she was hoping Peter and John would validate what she, Mary, and Solame had experienced. Maybe they would explain this supernatural phenomena. Why were Jesus' linen clothes lying by themselves? Why was the angel there to tell, "Jesus is risen! He is alive", instead of Jesus Himself? Why couldn't He be there waiting for them? None of them, Mary, Mary Magdalene, nor Solame had encountered a messenger angel before. Things were definitely not normal! They were used to Jesus doing the miraculous, not being the miraculous. Now Jesus IS the miracle.

Mary Magdalene followed because she wanted answers. This miracle, "Jesus is Alive! He is risen," is beyond what her mind could comprehend. The message did not say, she was to go to Galilee. Maybe Peter and John would get another message from the angel who had spoken the first message. She needed to be there. She needed to hear it again. It happened so fast. None of them were ready for it.

The entire week had happened too fast. Jesus was weeping over Jerusalem, saying they did not know what was before them. Then the people of Jerusalem receive Him as a king entering his kingdom. The Passover supper, the arrest at the Garden of Gethsemane, the night trial, Pilate and Herod not knowing what to do, the people getting to decide the fate of Jesus, yelling, "Crucify! Crucify!" The nightmare that would never end! And now this! Where is Jesus' body? Was this angel real? Why did she run in fear? The last week had been a living nightmare.

Mary Magdalene wanted answers. She didn't know what to believe at this point. Maybe the angel would still be there and have another message for Peter and John. Mary was going to be there to hear what was said. But Peter and John came out of the tomb, their faces filled with marvel. What did they see? She didn't hear anything. Did the angel give them a message? Why did Peter and John leave without telling her anything?

Warriors so much has happened in such a short amount of time. The coronavirus came in like a whirlwind and continues to strike out. Thankfully, we didn't go through everything in a week but in this short amount of time people are still wanting answers. They want to know who to believe. We will pray for the God to distribute truth and for people to believe the truth, God's truth.

Father, I come to You today not seeking answers or validation of what is going on in America concerning the coronavirus. I come to You choosing to hear what You have to say and how I am to respond to others. I ask for peace to settle over the earth. I ask for truth to be made known and those responsible for releasing the coronavirus into society to be held accountable. I ask for people to desire the truth and not hearsay. I ask for You to be known to all. I want reporters to walk in a level of fear that keeps them honest, needing to report the truth. I understand the desire to be the first to report but I ask for the reporting to not take place if it isn't the truth. I recognize this is a miracle, to have reporters holding information until they have all the facts. I ask for this miracle. People are being divided more than normal. This is a time when we need the Holy Spirit so we operate with patience, kindness, gentleness and self control. We need Your wisdom to know the truth and to know how much we are to listen to others. We do not need to get frustrated by all the yuck that has come with the coronavirus. What has happened to us, and to people all over the world, is horrific and I do not want it covered up but all the hearsay-res, naysayers, and people "investigating" with bias opinions. Peter and John did not say anything to Mary because they had nothing to report. They needed to contemplate what had happened and remember what Jesus had told them. They needed the truth before they came together to discuss what to do. I ask for You to help us to not be pushed by people who want their opinions be promoted, not truth. I ask for them to be overlooked and silenced. People are watching the news for answers just like Mary was watching Peter and John. You are the Truth. You desire to meet with each one of us and to lead us in the truth. I ask for You to come and make Yourself known. People are grieving over the loss of loved ones, while others are neck deep in things they know nothing about. I ask for people to choose to purposefully be kind and diligent to encourage others through this difficult time. I ask for people to know when they need to speak and when they need to continue about their way. I ask for people to seek You for the answers. I ask for those things that are out of our control to be left in the hands of those doing their jobs in finding the truth and for justice to prevail. Jesus we need You to visit us, tell us the next step of what we are to do. I ask for You to guide us in our speech to one another and our actions to be honorable in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army, Veridee Joy

My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.