City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh.

The Word

²⁴ God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. ²⁵ For David says concerning him,
“‘I saw the Lord always before me
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
²⁶ therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
²⁷ For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
²⁸ You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ –Acts 2:24-28 ESV 

¹ Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴ and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵ and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.–Romans 5:1-5 ESV

Aisha’s Analysis

Peter’s sermon at Pentecost in today’s verses is a beautiful testament to the hope and victory we have in Christ. The fact that Peter is delivering this message is also encouraging. Imagine Peter, who was previously riddled with fear at the mere suggestion of being associated with Jesus, is now boldly declaring Christ’s crucifixion and God’s redemptive plan for humanity! What a transformation. 

These verses offer so much peace in knowing that it was not possible for Jesus to be held by the pangs of death (Acts 2:24). The reference to Psalm 16 in the following verses (verses 25-28) is a Spirit-led reminder of God’s faithfulness throughout history. 

The reference to Psalm 16 in our passage from Acts is dripping with the joy and peace that comes from being in God’s presence. Our companion verses in Romans 5 also echo the endless possibilities of hope available in Jesus Christ. 

Interestingly, the verses we are digging into today also touch on very real and difficult things one goes through:the pangs of death, abandonment, Hades (or “the pit”), and sufferings. How can joy, peace, and hope coincide with such painful circumstances? Thankfully, God’s presence in our lives is not dependent on our circumstances. 

God’s presence has been won for us by the finished work of Christ – His victory over sin and death. This gives us reason to hope even in the most difficult, draining, dry seasons. Because of Christ’s obedience to the point of death – even death on a cross – we have peace with God through faith in Christ. Christ’s willingness to lay down His life in obedience to God opened the door for us to enter God’s Kingdom, unashamed and blameless before the throne of Grace. 

May we rest in that truth and find freedom in that eternal reality despite what we may be facing at the present moment. His presence trumps the present moment – whether it is good or hard. The hope we have in Christ exceeds it all. 

Application

Are you so consumed with what you’re facing at present that you are unaware of God’s presence? Take a few moments today to practice God’s presence. 

If you have made the decision to surrender your life to Christ, exult in the hope you have in Christ. 

If you have not yet made the decision to surrender your life to Christ, why not? What is holding you back? Everything you have is only because of God’s goodness and mercy towards you. The one thing God will not do for you is choose for you. He has given you a free will to make decisions of your own volition. 

Only you can make the decision to see and dwell on what is right in front of you, or to look beyond into a deeper, richer truth: God loves you and has made a way for you to be with Him. This is the hope we have in Christ no matter what does or doesn’t happen in life. Don’t lose sight of that. 

Prayer

Father God, I rejoice in the good news that Christ is victorious over sin and death. This gives me great hope, peace, and joy. Your presence in my life is heaven on earth. Thank You for never leaving me and for making a way for us to be together forever. In Jesus’ name, amen.