Devotions for Disciples

by Sonya Hayes (Edited by Ben Hayes)

Recently, I read a request on X, formerly Twitter, from a pastor requesting ideas on a new passage of Scripture proclaiming the resurrection of Christ. He said, “It is getting harder to bring a fresh perspective of the resurrection.” Being the wife of a pastor, I understand the pressure they feel when preparing and preaching the Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc., sermon, but it also made me sad that this man seems to have lost some enthusiasm for the old, old story. But the preacher’s statement got me to thinking of how the power of the resurrection is shown throughout all 66 books of the Bible. Let me show you.

In Genesis, we see new birth and redemption through the shed blood as well as God’s wrath against sin through the flood. These are just glimpses of the resurrection that was promised in the Garden. 

Exodus brings the hope of rescue and a picture of the Promised Land. We see miracles, protection, and the very presence of Holy God communing with man. Through this story, we discover that it is possible to have a relationship with God because the Hope of Glory lives in resurrection power.

Leviticus brings up the law, an orderly way of bringing worship and sacrifice to the altar. It demonstrates the Father’s pursuit of His children as we submit our hearts to Him. We are brought into the Tabernacle, a place of beauty and pain. It calls us to know that we live in the power of the resurrection in death. 

Yes, even in Numbers, we see that God has counted us among His chosen priesthood — a people set apart. But this book gives us more than a census; it gives hope that God sees us and that we are part of a peculiar people, chosen for a Holy purpose. The evidence and promise of the resurrection are found in God’s sustaining grace despite our rebellion and because of the magnificent promise of His presence in our wanderings. God sees and knows us, and He anticipates our time with Him now and in eternity because of the resurrection. 

Deuteronomy reminds us — and gives us a glimpse — of God’s deliverance. We see that our journeys have both a beginning and an end; there is purpose and power in our walk with the Father. We see the resurrection to new hope, new beginnings, and promises fulfilled. 

Joshua boldly proclaims the assurance of the resurrection when he states that for him and his house, they will serve the Lord. We see the power of the resurrection in the simple phrase: be of good courage; fear not, I am with thee. The resurrection provides a peace and comfort in all our battles, and walls fall when we submit to His authority. 

Judges brings conviction and repentance, all because of the blood and the new life. We are comforted by the fact that God never forsakes His children because His desire is our eternity with Him. 

Ruth reveals our kinsman Redeemer. We are bought for a price — redeemed for His purpose — by Him who has set the power of the resurrection in our hearts. 

I Samuel is a prayer answered. Only a living God who has established the present and future ages can perform such miracles. The evidence in our calling to servanthood proves that we are in Him for all times because of resurrection power. 

2 Samuel shows us God’s heart for fallen man — His love for those that were conceived in sin. And yet He still uses us for His purpose. We see that God comforts us with an everlasting love when He revealed to King David, at the death of his child, that one day he would see him again — the new life of the hope of the resurrection. 

Kings 1 & 2: Oh, the glory of God in Solomon’s wisdom, God’s restoration as leaders betray the calling, and God’s judgment on His people. But His judgment calls His people to return, to forsake the evil ways of the world because evil cannot reside in the presence of God’s holiness. Resurrection power changes everything. God’s encouragement is present from discipline to deliverance.

1 & 2 Chronicles continues the message from Kings: we see evil in leaders like never before. We also see God’s judgment like never before, but even in the midst of His wrath, God still has a remnant of believers who keep hope alive. Neither their hands nor hearts are tarnished because they have their sight set on the hope of the Messiah, eternity, and the power of the resurrection that lingers in the heart. 

For Ezra, the exile has been going on for 70 years. Yet God burns into the heart of this man to bring reconstruction and redemption, and He reveals a remnant set on repentance and restoration of the relationship God desires — their reward of righteousness is the power of the resurrection. 

In the story of Nehemiah, if there had been no power in the resurrection, the enemies of God would not have worked so hard to prevent the rebuilding of the life that God had promised his children. And we would have never seen the restoration of teaching and the testimony of the promise.

Esther found her identity in God. This queen discovered that she had a time and purpose to help preserve her nation. Her actions resulted in a powerful celebration, praise, and prayer from a people who had been set free. Only a hope in the resurrected Christ can elicit such prayers of praise. 

Job’s story takes our breath, yet it breathes hope for our eternity. God allowed a time of trial to introduce the refining fire in Job’s life, but we see the power of the enemy crushed because his power is limited — all because the Promise of the resurrection is seated at the side of the Father. 

Psalms opens our hearts to the beauty of the songs that bring us into the very throne room of God — His glory and majesty too great to speak. They speak of a home prepared for our eternal worship and proclaim the never-ending power of the resurrection.

Proverbs teach us lessons for life, given for our understanding. These lessons remind us to submit to the Father in all we do because we love Him supremely and love others with Him. True resurrection power calls us to bring the world to Him by teaching them the ways of God.

Ecclesiastes, the Preacher, teaches us profound answers through his life choices. He determines for us that a life void of God is empty and meaningless. Only the power of the resurrection places the Light of eternity in our hearts. 

The Song of Solomon reveals God’s love for us. He is the Sovereign Lover of our souls. He is preparing us to be joined with Him for all eternity because of the resurrection power. Awake my soul and rejoice.

Isaiah, the prophet, announces the Prince of Peace Who is to come. His proclamation of all that would occur gives us a glimpse of the resurrection power.

Jeremiah, a man ignored and mistreated for his stand to call the people to repentance, had the strength of resurrection power – strength to stand firm in his calling and to persist against all enemies. 

Lamentations shines light on God’s mercy as He holds back from destroying a rebellious nation. It is in God’s mercy that we see the hope of resurrection power. 

Ezekiel is God’s call from sin to rebirth, from slavery to sin to obedience for eternity. This is our future hope and the cover of the resurrection promise. 

Daniel takes us on a journey from certain death to absolute deliverance. We find the assurance that in life and in death, we are delivered to be before a loving God because of resurrection power. 

Hosea shows us once again that God is pursuing, redeeming, and loving us unto Himself. The power of the resurrection restores us and makes us whole. 

Joel promises that the Lord will dwell with us, His children, and that there will be a bright future — as bright as God promises. Resurrection power cannot be extinguished. 

Amos, after all the proclamations of destruction, proclaims God’s Promise of restoration that is always on the horizon. God is not slack in keeping His promises; we live in the power of His resurrection as we set our eyes on Him.

Obadiah gives us the assurance that God’s people are victorious. He is our Savior. The resurrected power is hope in the face of conflict. 

In Jonah, we find that even when we run from God, His love runs harder. We are given no clue as to what happened to Jonah, but we do see a God whose love goes the extra mile to redeem and bring hope. The resurrection power reaches across all social barriers. 

Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah all proclaim destruction followed by God’s call to repentance. Micah tells us God’s anger will be turned, and his people restored. Hallelujah, what a hope of resurrection. Nahum gives us a dire warning of destruction without restoration because God’s holiness is uncompromising. Even there we see that His perfection declares the glory of the resurrection. Habakkuk is gut-wrenching as the prophet seeks answers for how the evil regime is coming against God’s called. But the Lord was faithful then and is still faithful to answer with the proclamation of His sovereignty and faithfulness; His great love gives resurrection hope as we live and walk by faith. Zephaniah also warns of coming judgment and ends his book with the Promise that God will restore His people to favor and honor. God’s love is an everlasting resurrection love. 

Haggai calls us to work, to continue in the call from God. He calls us to stand firm in opposition to the enemy. For now, the temple was to be re-built, but we find that one day, no building will be able to contain our worship and praise. Resurrection worship will be unlike anything we know here on earth. 

Zechariah brings new judgment, but this time it comes to the enemies of God’s people. But the one thing that outshines God’s judgment is the prophecy of the coming Messiah — His suffering, His death, and His conquering power that brings resurrection glory. 

Malachi ends the Old Testament with warnings and hope. Warning of doom and a promise that the Day of the Lord is coming. But Elijah would come and did come before the final destruction. Only then would the resurrection power make all things new, and all our hopes are fulfilled in the coming of the Christ. Hallelujah, what a resurrection Promise.