Faith pushes us forward when we don’t understand what the Lord is doing. These are times when we walk by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 11:1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. [1] There are times in life we can’t, with human reason, understand why the Lord is leading us in a specific direction. Our limited human minds cannot make sense of our circumstances.
Several years ago, I traveled to Russia on a mission trip after a friend sensed from the Lord that I should go with them. Although I don’t like to go on long flights, my faith pushed me forward to go on this trip to Russia when my selfish instincts did not want to. This was a fantastic mission trip; I would have missed it if my faith had not propelled me forward. Where in your life is the Lord calling you to move forward in faith as you trust Him?
Faith Leads the Women to the Tomb of Jesus
After Jesus died on the cross, several women followed those who laid Jesus in the tomb, so they knew where he was buried. As women of faith, they went home and kept the Sabbath as the Jewish law required from nightfall Friday to nightfall on Saturday.
Mark 16:1Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb.[2]
As the women went to the tomb, their thoughts were on anointing Jesus’ body. They did not realize the Lord was guiding them there for a different reason. Instead of anointing the dead body of Jesus, the women met an angel at the tomb who declared Jesus had risen from the dead.
Let Faith Lead You Forward
Paul gives us insight into being led by faith. Romans 8:14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. [3] The Lord is always talking to us, but are we listening to His still, small voice?
To hear the voice of the Lord, we must be sensitive to His voice. The more time we spend in the Lord’s presence in prayer, word, and worship, the better we can recognize His voice. The women in our story responded to the voice of the Lord. They obeyed His guidance to go to the tomb of Jesus. God rewarded their obedience when they experienced a blessing they did not expect.
God is full of surprises. As we allow Him to guide us by His Holy Spirit, He unfolds unique gifts. Remember, God does not speak just to particular people in the Bible but to all of us. We must realize that hearing God speak is a normal part of the Christian life. He created you to be in a relationship with Him, including two-way conversation.
To hear how faith pushes us forward, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/mark-the-tomb-is-still-empty
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.