I. The Word
Psalm 119:73-78
Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands.
May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your word.
I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
but I will meditate on your precepts.
Matthew 28:1-7
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
II. Reflection Questions:
1. Am I looking to God to give understanding from a heavenly perspective?
2. Do I delight in the words that God says, and meditate on His Word, so that I am in a position to be guided by Him?
3. No matter what other people do, will I obey the Word of God?
4. Do I truly realize that the Word of God is unimaginably powerful, both in Bible times and in my daily life?
By Jason Schezer
In Psalm 119, we see that God’s hands made and formed the psalmist, and all of mankind, by extension. He fashioned us with specific, intentional design. Since He is the one who formed us, He is best suited to speak to the purposes for which He formed us, so we must look to Him for understanding. Psalm 119 is a very unique Psalm in that, not only is it the longest Psalm, but it also features mention of the Word of God in every verse, whether by precept, law, statute or other aspects of God’s Word. His Word really is powerful, effective, and trustworthy all the time! When God says something to us, He is always right, whether we trust Him at that time or not.
In Matthew 28, we see that Jesus had been in the tomb. The women went to the tomb, perhaps expecting to pay honor to Jesus. Instead, there was a powerful earthquake. The text tells us that the earthquake was caused by an angel of the Lord coming down from heaven, proceeding to the tomb, and rolling back the stone that had sealed the tomb. In many parts of the Bible, particularly the Hebrew scriptures or OT, an angel of the Lord interacting with people actually signifies God Himself, a theophany or appearance of God. For example, in Exodus chapter 3, the “angel of the LORD” appears to Moses at the burning bush to speak to Moses about leading God’s people out of slavery. Yet we know that it is God Himself who shows up.
We could speculate all day whether a created angelic being rolled away the stone at Jesus’ tomb, or whether God Himself rolled away the stone. These facts are clear:
1. God holds the power over death
2. The rolling away of the stone is the decisive action of God, that He knew in advance and planned to do
3. God may act Himself, or may command an angel to do His bidding; nonetheless, God is acting and no angel could act without God’s power at work
4. The spoken Word of God is powerful to command what must happen and to make it happen
The angel may seem like Jesus in some ways. The appearance of the angel is like lightning, and clothes are white like snow. Yet the angel says, He (Jesus) is not here. When our Lord resurrected over death, He did not hang around the tomb any longer!
The Word of the Lord commanded Jesus to be raised from the dead, in great triumph and power. This is the same power of God in which He will return to our world in His 2nd coming to make everything right. When will we believers realize that the Word of the Lord is unimaginable, overwhelmingly powerful?
He is acting directly in your life today, to guide, strengthen, embolden, and encourage you. He encourages you when you meditate on His being. Who He is; what kind of God that He is; what pleases Him; the plans that He has for you.
Jesus was raised for you if you will receive Him as Lord and as Savior. He has good plans of blessing for your life planned, and nothing in all of creation can prevent God pouring out His blessing in your life. Just as nothing in all creation could prevent God rolling away the stone and bringing Jesus out alive. History bears witness that He was seen by over 500 people after He was raised. It is irrefutable fact.
Let His Word fill you richly today and change your perspective and purpose for living.
IV. Prayer:
Dear Lord, I know that You really did raise Jesus from the dead, some 2000 years ago. All the power and glory is yours because You alone are God. I am just a sinful person living on this earth that You created. Sometimes my words bless others, but all too often my words hurt and tear down others. My words should be reflective of Your glorious words of truth. Change me by the power of the risen Christ so that my old self is crucified with Him, and my new self is united with Christ. Let me live only by the power and grace of Your Word. In Jesus’ wonderful name. Amen.
City Life Starter 
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