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How do you respond when you’re in the tension of disappointment? Are you like me, and your temptation is to seize control of the situation, or do you take time to rest, understanding the things you cannot control? The women who followed Jesus were equipped to act. They had the traditional burial clothes and spices to prepare Jesus’ body after His death. It would have been tempting to rush to see their teacher and Savior and take care of His body, but instead, they were obedient to the Sabbath – a God-ordained, weekly day of rest.

I believe God intentionally placed a day of rest between Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. It was as if to say, “trust me, I can do more in your waiting than you could accomplish in your doing.” In retrospect, it is easy to rush past this quiet day and skip to the victory we know is coming in Jesus’ resurrection. Our God is so intentional with every detail; indeed, He has something to show us through the second day. Our Lord says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10).

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do in our disappointments is to quiet our restless minds and hearts by reminding our souls that our God is in control. Just like He knew that He would raise Jesus on the third day, God has plans of resurrection and restoration for our lives on this side of eternity and the next.

Reflections: Find a day of rest this week, a Sabbath day. On this day, intentionally speak Psalm 46:10 over your disappointments and trust God by not acting in any way to control the outcome of your situation but instead enjoying all the Lord has provided in your life.

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