But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.

Job 16:5 (NIV)

Not Here

by Cathy Vinson

  If there is any place we would sincerely not want to be and stay, it is the place "where He is not." And where is the the place He is not? It is the place He JUST was. Then are we staying?

We cling and stay, and the same while He is risen and on the move. He wants a fresh encounter. He goes on before (28:7) with the promise to us of meeting up with Him as we move forward and do not stay at the place He just was.

We cling though, thinking there is sanctuary in staying where He just was: the place, the posture, the mood, only this time at our control. He has gone on ahead.

Let us not fear the risk of fresh encounter. The women were permitted to look, "See the place where He was laid..." (vs 6), but all too briefly, "GO quickly...behold He goes before you...there you shall see Him" (7).

It is the faith that we shall see the alive Christ still moving ahead that will remove us from securing a lingering at the place we last beheld Him. Let us have that type of faith.

"He is not here..."

Matthew 28:6

If there is any place we would sincerely not want to be and stay, it is the place "where He is not."

Send a note to Cathy Vinson , the writer of this devotion.

Other Whispers from the Wilderness Devotions are found HERE

Return to the Daily Miscellany


1