Warriors Arise: May 15th, 2020
We expanded our prayer strategy to dig deep into what Mary is going through as she weeps and looks into the tomb. We often take a second look because we aren't sure that "what we saw" is "what we saw." Another reason we look again is to remember what happened. Why do detectives return to a scene of crime after they have already gone through the place of the crime thoroughly. They have pictures from every angle. They have notes and suspects. They are looking for something they might have missed.
We do not know if Mary is expecting anyone to be there. Remember, when Peter and John came out of the tomb they marveled and went home. Scripture does not tell us if they said anything to Mary. Mary is crushed by all that has happened. Maybe she wanted them to verify the angel was there or had been there to bring some stability to her mind. Even though she is coming to the end of herself and her thoughts are roaring through her mind, she still is not ready to leave. She looks one more time into the tomb, where just this morning she was supposed to anoint His body for proper burial. What did the angel say to herself, Mary and Salome?
"And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothes in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples - and Peter - that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." Mark 16: 5-7
I would think Mary had remembered everything from that morning. She looks into the tomb but this time two angels are there. I imagine a gasp. She was right there, outside the entrance, no one had come since Peter and John left. And now, not just one but two angels are sitting there. What are they doing there?
"Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."
These angels were not giving her the same message the the angel from that morning had. These angels were asking her a question. What would it be like to have an angel ask you a question? I do not know how long it took Mary to respond. It do not think she responded immediately. If I had one question to ask, I would want to make sure it was the answer I most desperately needed. What did Mary need? To hope beyond hope is a sensitive perspective.
Have you ever been in a desperately situation and everything in you needed to believe what you knew to be true, but it was beyond the spectrum of others? Have you been in a situation where you wanted to ask one question but you didn't have the nerve, so you begin with another question? I believe that is where we find Mary. She wants what the angel said that morning to be true. I believe she wants to ask where she can find Jesus, but as the words are coming out of her mouth she finishes with what might seem like unbelief.
"Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." John 20:13
Mary says she is weeping not for the death of Jesus but because "they have taken away my Lord." When someone you love has been taken away from you, desperation can take hold of you. You want to be able to find stability, make sense of the situation, and find someone to validate the emotional storm surrounding your every thought.
She collects her thoughts and continues because what she just said out loud doesn't make sense. It is beyond reality. So she continues, "...and I do not know where they have laid Him." Now that makes sense, right? That is what I should have asked.
Why do we back down from the impossible? Jesus said, "Nothing is impossible for those who believe." Can you believe God will hear your prayers and answer? Then ask for what He has put on your heart. What are you withholding in your prayers because it doesn't make sense? God speaks clearly. Most of us know what we are to pray. We need to believe what God has told us, then pray what we believe.
Father, I ask for you to remind me of what You have placed in my heart. I want to pray, believing You will work things out for my good. I want to pray according to Your love for each person here on earth. I want to pray for your kingdom to come and Your will to be done. I do not want to pray less than what You desire for Your people. Remind me what You have whispered into my ear. I want to pray along with Jesus. Jesus is seated at Your right hand. He is interceding for each one of us. I want to pray as Jesus prays. I want to release your lovingkindness upon all people. I want to know Your voice and respond to Your direction. You are not done. You will not leave Your people to their own demise. You will make a way out. This pandemic has been a prison and You sent Jesus to set the captives free, even from the coronavirus pandemic. You want us to walk with You, knowing it is time to walk on the water. The winds and the waves laugh at us but we will get out of the boat and follow You. You are the only one who can truly rescue us. We can do all the right things and that not be enough. You are enough. You are the One who can protect us, because we follow You. You are the One who will protect us, because of Your amazing love. I am Your child and I will have faith like a child. You will make a way out. There will be a cure and vaccine for the coronavirus. I pray; I will be bold. I will ask what I have already been told is true. I will not reason in my own mind but believe what You have said. I will believe the Word of the Lord. I seek You and find You. I will be secure in Your love. There are many things I do not know but what I do know is that I have nothing to fear. My God is with me every second of every minute of every day in Jesus' name. I will not be tossed around my my emotions or the emotions of others. I will not be swept up into the whirlwind but take my seat at the table You have prepared for me in the presence of my enemies. I will think with the mind of Christ. I will know my God has a plan and will set me free. I will release God's love for all to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I will release the kingdom of God here on earth. I will not yield earth to the enemy. I will not participate in the confusion. I will ask what is in my heart. I will not be afraid to ask for things that I do not understand. I will pray for lies to be revealed and truth to be establish 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.
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