Steadfast by Resurrection Power

Steadfast by Resurrection Power

“Yes, God raised Jesus to life! And since God’s Spirit of Resurrection lives in you, He will also raise your dying body to life by the same Spirit that breathes life into you!” 

(Romans 8:11, The Passion Translation)

As our Steadfast Devotional series continues, we move through the Christian year—from Lent and Holy Week into the season between Resurrection and Pentecost—what the historical church calls Eastertide.

My Personal History with Easter Services . . .

I’d like to share a bit of my personal journey with you. 

For about thirty years I participated in Easter Sunday church services as a musician, then as a worship leader, and then for about ten years as the worship pastor and master planner of what could only be described as massive, extravagant Easter productions. 

These involved weeks of rehearsal—praise band, choirs, orchestra, drum corps, bagpipes, dancers, banners, and all manner of worship arts expressions. They were lavish, wonderful, and deeply celebratory. Easter Sunday was the “Super Bowl” for our worship arts ministry and required a high level of excellence. While deeply fulfilling, they were also exhausting.

From Burnout to Breakthrough

The week after Easter, I would feel depleted—running on empty physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But on the Monday after Easter in 2013, I felt led by the Holy Spirit—rather than giving in to burnout—to explore the biblical narrative and spirituality of the season that follows.

I began to read with fresh eyes the biblical stories of what happened in the hours, days, and weeks following the resurrection.

As I read, I began to write a daily series of short blog posts. These reflections were influenced by Robert Webber’s book Ancient-Future Time and my studies at the Institute for Worship Studies.

This exploration became a refreshing experience—not only for me, but for those who were reading along. These meditations eventually became my book Resurrection Power: 50 Days That Rocked the World. The insights uncovered there continue to shape my spiritual life to this day.

The Resurrection Changes Everything

Today, as we reflect on this year’s theme word of Steadfast and Paul’s call to ‘keep the faith,’ I’m convinced that finishing well is only possible through resurrection power.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important truth in all of human reality—the hinge, the backbone, and defining characteristic of the Christian faith.

If the dead can be raised again to life eternal—that changes everything.

Paul makes this distinction explicit. If Christ was not raised, then “your faith is futile . . .[and] we are to be pitied more than all people” (1 Corinthians 15:19)

But thanks be to God—Jesus was raised from the dead!

The foundation of our faith rests on this fact.

Because He Lives

Because He lives—as the old Gaither song proclaimed—all fear is gone, our hope is secure, and life is worth the living!

His resurrection empowers steadfast faith. Therefore, as Paul writes, “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Because He lives, you and I can live a completely transformed, steadfast, and meaning-filled life.

Steadfast by Resurrection Power

During this Eastertide season, let us consider anew the life-giving hope we have because Christ Jesus lives today.

The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us today. It is the living Spirit of Christ in us—the hope of glory—who sustains a faith that is steadfast, that perseveres, that endures. This is not something we produce on our own. It is the resurrection power of Christ at work in you and me. (See Romans 8:11 and Colossians 1:27.)

An Invitation to Trust

Perhaps you are entering this Eastertide season feeling depleted. Exhausted. Overwhelmed. Grieving. Fearful. Perhaps your faith feels particularly vulnerable and fragile—like a mustard seed.

Resurrection power is for you, right now.

Look to our resurrected Good Shepherd. Call out to Him. His power is made perfect in your weakness. Trust that His resurrection power will meet you in your place of need.

Stay steadfast. Keep the faith.

Prayer:

Father, today we thank You that Your Son, our Savior, is interceding for Your sons and daughters in every situation and circumstance. 

Help us to believe the unbelievable, and to live in the power of His resurrection. 

Fill us afresh with Your Spirit. Strengthen us where we are weak. 

Empower us to walk in a faith that is truly steadfast — not by our own effort, but by the power of the One who conquered sin and death and hell itself. 

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Listen to "Whosoever," now streaming on all platforms 

PS: The themes of steadfast faith and perseverance explored in this devotional are woven throughout the songs from Keep the Faith.

“Whosoever” echoes the call to keep the faith and hold fast to the resurrection hope we have in Christ.

Take a moment to listen: Whosoever  → [link]


ABOUT THE STEADFAST DEVOTIONAL SERIES: 

Since the beginning of this year, we have been exploring what it means to live with steadfast faith. Steadfastness is a character trait essential to growing in spiritual maturity. These companion essays include:

Created with MailerLite