The Upper Room 16 April 2022 Daily Devotional | Saturday Message. Read The Upper Room Daily Devotional 16 April 2022 by Shone Gray (Wyoming, USA)
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TOPIC: The Rock Left Behind
TODAY’S READING
Matthew 28:1-10
KEY VERSE: He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. – Matthew 28:6 (NIV)
The Upper Room 16 April 2022 Daily Devotional MESSAGE
One day during the summer between my son’s freshman and sophomore years of high school, we received a phone call that his friend and classmate Casey had died; he had drowned in a local lake. Our entire family was in shock; we live in a small town, and we were all close with Casey’s family. That first day we focused on helping our son. The next day we spent special time with our younger children helping them to understand the tragedy.
I was making a cake to take to the family when our youngest child, who was 4, said, “Mom, why don’t they just go find his rock?”
“Whose rock?” I asked. He said simply, “Casey’s rock. When they found Jesus’ rock, he was not there!”
My child’s question helped me to remember in the midst of an unimaginable loss that Jesus had overcome death. Just like Jesus, Casey had left death behind and was with our heavenly Father. This one simple reminder calmed my heart and gave me peace. I knew that because of Jesus’ victory we would see Casey again. Now, in any loss, I remind myself that Jesus has defeated death. Praise the Lord!
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for the gift of eternal life that you give us through Jesus, who overcame death and left the rock of his tomb behind. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Because of Jesus’ victory over death, I can experience new life.
PRAYER FOCUS
Those mourning the death of a friend
The Upper Room 16 April 2022 Daily Devotional Message. The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. The meditations are stories of real people working to live faithfully with the Bible as their touchstone. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together. Read More The Upper Room 16 April 2022 Daily Devotional