The Hope of Easter

To Our Faithful Supporters and Prayer Partners,

I’ve been reading Job recently as I work my way through the Old Testament. It may be one of the most difficult books in the entire Bible to process. So much of Job’s story seems completely incomprehensible and unbearably extreme. Yet, it speaks to one of the deepest questions of our human existence: WHY is this happening? (chapters 1-37). It also speaks to the greatest need of our faithless hearts: submitting to the One WHO is in control of all things (chapters 38-42). When why is the question, Who is the answer.

This past Saturday, I came to Job 14. As Job is wrestling with the depth of his sin (13:23-26) and the stark reality of man’s mortality (14:1-12), he asks a profound question with significant Easter-weekend ramifications: “If a man dies, shall he live again?” (14:14). How one answers that question makes all the difference in the world! 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, “knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you in his presence.” This is the profound hope of every true believer. Jesus is alive, and we will live again.  I haven’t made it to Job 19 yet in my reading this time through the OT, but I know what’s coming: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!” (19:25-27). While Job was struggling to understand what God was doing in his life, he knew the true and right answer to his question.

For those whose lives right now are turned upside down by painful suffering, or those who have lost someone you deeply love, or those who have a laundry list of unanswered questions due to perplexing circumstances, be encouraged and live in hope this week because of the true and right answer to Job’s question for those who know Jesus. He is risen, and we will live again!

We celebrated Easter here on the Garden Route of South Africa with three church plant groups joining together for a special Easter Service in Knysna. It’s one of the great blessings of team ministry to join together with other believers to witness how God is growing His church and building His kingdom.

Please pray as we make preparations to head back to the States next Monday, April 29 in preparation for our daughter’s wedding on May 19. We anticipate seeing many of you while we are home. Thank you again so much for your faithful gospel partnership with us!

For the Sake of His Name,

Troy and Danielle

Psalm 67:1-2