The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
The Empty Tomb. The Occupied Throne.
The Risen Lord
The tomb is empty. The Heavenly Throne is occupied. The risen Jesus Christ is Lord.
"And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Colossians 2:15).
These truths, so cherished by God's trusting people in Christ, remain challenging to remember and affirm regarding our personal lives, the lives of those dear to us, and the events of the world. The reason, of course, involves the truth that the victory of the tomb, the throne, and the Lordship of Christ does not yet obviously and overtly appear in all things. Like thirty one kings to be overcome in the promised land after Israel's entrance therein, God has not yet manifested and implemented the fullness of Christ's victory (Joshua 12:1-24). We nevertheless live from His resounding triumph in every aspect of our existence. Our experience thereof depends on our faith therein. Indeed, God's counsel to his conquering servant Joshua speaks powerfully to us:
"Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest" (Joshua 1:9).
The challenge and promise apply to us, but in an enhanced way that Joshua did not know. He lived and fought on the promise to come side of the empty tomb, the occupied throne, and the Lordship of the risen Christ. We live and fight on the promise fulfilled side. The Lord our God is not only with born again believers in the Lord Jesus. He lives within us. Moreover, He does so actively and powerfully:
"I will dwell in them, and walk in them" (II Corinthians 6:16).
It is one thing to "be strong and of a good courage" by grit and determination. It is quite another to do so as inhabited by the Captain of our salvation and His almighty strength and perfect courage. Every battle of our lives finds believers positioned and apportioned on this high ground overlooking conflict whereby we fight from our Lord's triumph. Indeed, the Apostle Paul went so far as to declare we "sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6). Thus, we engage in earthly challenges from a Heavenly vantage point as we "fight the good fight of faith" (I Timothy 6:12). It matters not the mode or measure of the challenge. It matters only the presence and power of our Captain.
If we could audibly hear the voice of the Holy Spirit in this moment, we can be sure the echo of His ancient call to Joshua would ring clearly in our ears. "Be strong and of a good courage." The promise of "with thee" would be accentuated - "within thee." In the light of such assurance, provided by such grace, we will live from the triumph of the empty tomb, the occupied throne, and the risen Lord.
Over and Over
Sometimes it seems that the enemy of our soul wins
over and over and over and over again.
But if we could see the Truth more clearly, my friend,
we'd see Christ triumph over death, hell, and sin,
over and over and over again…
Over and over and over again.
The Tomb is empty, the Throne above occupied.
For Christ is risen again, from death glorified.
So remember when hot, stinging tears fill your eyes,
the triumph He's shone so many times in our lives,
over and over and over again…
Over and over and over again.
Forever draws nigh, we will be with Him there soon, my friend.
The trials of this life will be gone when we're with Him in Heaven.
Glories we'll see, majesty without end,
that sing the glad hymn, Christ is risen again,
over and over and over again…
Over and over and over again.
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
(I John 5:4)
"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ."
(II Corinthians 2:14)
Weekly Memory Verse
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
(I John 5:4)
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