Sunday, April 14, 2019
“Those in front of him and those following were shouting, “ Hosanna! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” ~Mark 11:9
The darkest hour has long been used figuratively to mean ‘the lowest ebb’ and there are many such examples of it in print dating from the late 1700s.
The English theologian and historian Thomas Fuller appears to be the first person to commit the notion that ‘the darkest hour is just before the dawn’ to print. His religious travelogue A Pisgah-Sight Of Palestine And The Confines Thereof, 1650, contains this view:
It is always darkest just before the Day dawneth.
Today, we celebrate Palm Sunday, reading from the book of Mark chapter eleven, we read that people were happy and excited that Jesus was coming. The anticipation was overwhelming and people were singing and shouting “Hosanna!” They placed palm leaves and their own personal cloaks on the ground as Jesus make his way into the city. These people had either seen or heard all the things that Jesus had done and they wanted to be a part of it. They were seeking salvation, healing, wholeness and new life!
Do we receive Jesus in such a manner?
Do we get excited to go to church and worship with other believers?
Do we thirst for the Words of Jesus?
Today is a joyous time to celebrate Jesus and the salvation he offers to everyone who believes in him. As we journey onward through Holy Week and make plans for Easter let’s take time to experience each day as it comes. This week will be filled with very painful moments in history and difficulties in hearing the truths of Jesus’ sacrifice. Let’s pray for one another, for the strength and courage to face the challenges ahead and to restrain ourselves from the urge to skip over the parts of the story that are hard to grasp and comprehend. Jesus suffered for each of us so that we would not have to endure the pains that he did. As painful as this week may seem, let us remember that freely Jesus gave himself for us so that we could have everlasting life with him for all eternity. Just as the saying goes, it is darkest before the dawn; but as believers we know that JOY COMES IN THE MORNING! Hallelujah, Hallelujah Amen!
Breath Prayer: I am desperate for salvation;…Lord, save me.
~Peace~
References:
https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/darkest-hour-is-just-before-the-dawn.html
https://ancf.org/blog/234-why-do-things-often-get-worse-before-they-get-better
HOPE SEEKER 
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