“…And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
                    –Colossians 2:14-15(NKJV)
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     Perhaps I should have saved this for next week sometime, but the thoughts were in my mind, and I didn’t want to lose them.  Maybe, just maybe it is for someone today.  I know that Sunday is Resurrection Day–Easter.  Forty days after the resurrection Jesus ascends back to heaven, to His throne.  I don’t know what the disciples thought.  They didn’t think He would die the horrible death He did by hanging on the cross, and now that He was with them again, He is now again gone.  Did they think He would remain on earth with them?  Ponder the following verses from Acts 1:

          9 — Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
        10 — And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them, in white apparel,
        11 — who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (NKJV)

     There are some important things that Jesus said in Acts 1, but I want to focus on the words of the men in white apparel (angels), “Why do you stand gazing up into heaven?”  They were gawking up into the sky instead of following Jesus’ instructions.  I’m sure in the next ten days their thoughts went back to the cross, the empty tomb, and the ascension, as would be expected, but here there was an admonition pointed at them.
     “Why stand gazing?”  It is important that we celebrate this season, but don’t get too caught up in the symbols, and how important they are, and forget the meaning, the purpose, and the results.  Why stand gazing at the cross?  Jesus declared the work was finished.  Yes, it is because of the work at the cross that we are redeemed, reconciled, and in fellowship with God, but often the splinters from the cross become relics and idols to us.  Jesus declared that the work was finished; God, the Father had given His only Son.  Some wear what is called a crucifix that shows Christ still on the cross–No!  It is finished, the work is complete, He is no longer on the cross.  God’s wrath and justice was appeased and His mercy and grace poured out.  Why stand gazing at the empty tomb?  The victory over death, hell, and the grave is complete, over, finished.  
     One more thought for this Good Friday:  John records the following words of Jesus, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.” (12:23, NKJV).  Jesus, not long before the cross prayed these words, “Father, the hour has come.  Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You.” (John 17:1, NKJV)  Jesus used this phrase, “the hour has come” several times in the book of John.  Someone rightly wrote, “It is more than just a time period; it’s a turning point in history.”  We remember the words of Paul in writing to the Galatians, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son…”. (4:4, NKJV)
     This “fullness of time” was one particular, specific time in history.  A time appointed, a time when it was just right for the event to occur, the only time it could occur.  Jesus was born in the “fullness of time.”  He was crucified for the sins of man and on the third day rose from the grave victorious–if I may say, in the “fullness of time.”  Hang on, go back to the words of the men in white apparel in Acts, “in the fullness of time” this same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
     There is a plan for man and the world.  It is not a haphazardly thrown together series of events.  It is a plan in the “time schedule” of God.  Jesus, in the fullness of times, when it is just right, will come back to earth.  Why stand gazing, get on with the work of the kingdom?  William Barclay writes, “The Second Coming is not a matter for speculation and for illegitimate curiosity; it is a summons to make ourselves ready for that day when it comes.”
     So celebrate this wondrous weekend in all that it includes.  Remember, however, to keep it godly, stay away from idols and the frivolity that the world offers.  Have fun, but do not let them deter you from the mighty event that took place in the fullness of times for our salvation and reconciliation to God.  Joyfully sing:
               “At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
               And the burden of my heart rolled away,
               It was there by faith I received my sight,
               And now I am happy all the day!”
                        –Isaac Watts

       “The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.”
                    –Deuteronomy 29:29  (NLT)
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Proverbs 3:
          19 — The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens;
          20 — By His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew.  (NKJV)
(CEB)
          19 — The Lord laid the foundations of the earth with wisdom, establishing the heavens with understanding.
          20 — With his knowledge, the watery depths burst open, and the skies drop dew.

     Often I would ask students what would happen if they were walking and released hold on their books.  Invariably they would say, they would drop, or they would fall.  I would then gently remind them they would not…but gravity would pull them down.  In saying that I don’t mean to imply that I understand the laws of physics.  I do know that some things will happen, such as in the case of the books, but I don’t understand the why of it.  In watching movies I see cowboys shooting up in the air; they don’t understand physics any better than I.  What goes up, must come down, and it will come down in the same arch that it went up (barring other things in nature).
     Stop for a minute and look out the window.  Look at the marvelous creation of God; not evolution–happenchance, but the work of the infinite Creator.  God in His infinite wisdom and plan put it all together.  He spoke and it happened.  I read, whether true or not, of a meeting between the brilliant Albert Einstein and the comedian Charlie Chaplin.  In their conversation it is reportedly said that Chaplin made this remark to the famed scientist:  “The whole world admires you, even though they don’t understand a word of what you say.”
     Bob Beasley points out that “God established the earth, as He set each star of the firmament in position, and as the seas were formed and the ecosystems set up.”  Add to that the grandeur of nature and the wonder of man.  Whew!  It is too much for my pitiful brain to grasp.  I recall the words that God spoke to Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.” (38:4, NKJV)  I for sure do not have all the understanding, but I know that it all works together.  I am reminded of the wonderful song by Maltbie D. Babcock:

          This is my Father’s world,
          And to my listening ears
          All nature sings, and round me rings
          The music of the spheres.
          This is my Father’s world:
          I rest me in the thought
          Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas–
          His hand the wonders wrought.

     “This is my Father’s world,” and I leave it at that.  “I rest me in the thought,” that I cannot comprehend the works of His hands.  Man often gets in the way of the laws of nature and physics.  When that happens bad things can happen and often do.  Warren Wiersbe reminds us, “Obey these laws and creation will work with you; disobey them and creation will work against you.”  Try walking on water.  Oh ye of little faith.  Take a step off a ten story building and see if you can defy the laws of gravity.  On the way down, be sure and pray asking that the Lord forgive you for your stupidity.  He will answer, “My son/daughter, I forgive you” just before the sound of “PLOP!”
     Since this creation belongs to our heavenly Father we are to be good stewards not only of our finances but also of God’s creation.  Upon leaving a campsite I always told my kids and students to leave it better than when you found it.  I hate to drive along roads and see all the trash.  In that same concept, we should also be better stewards of our intelligence.  J.L. Flores states that, “the exhibition of God’s wisdom in creation is intended to lead men to listen to His Word of Revelation.”  Ponder this last thought throughout the day from the NIV Study Bible, “To live by wisdom is to imitate the Lord and conform to the divinely appointed creation order.”

                         –Louis L’Amour  (The Broken Gun)

       “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
                          –Hebrews 7:25(NKJV)  
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     The words of George Whitefield are appropriated for Psalm 140, “Let us never despair while we have Christ as our leader!”  The NIV starts with the words, “Rescue me…”  It is almost a frantic plea.

          1 — Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent men,
          2 — Who plan evil things in their hearts; they continually gather together for war.
          3 — They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; the poison of asps is under their lips.   Selah
          4 — Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have purposed to make my steps stumble.
          5 — The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set traps for me.    Selah
          6 — I said to the LORD:  “You are my God; hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
          7 — O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.
          8 — Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not further his wicked scheme, lest they be exalted.    Selah    (NKJV)

     “Steven Lawson states, “The storms of life either make us or break us.  They either mold us into the persons God wants us to be, or they cause us to lose heart and crumble.  Fiery trials either drive the believer closer to God, or they drive him farther away.  But no one ever remains the same after experiencing a severe distress.  Affliction either softens the believer or sours him.  It either makes him better or makes him bitter.  This is the powerful effect of trials upon our spiritual lives.  All believers go through storms, but none pass through them unchanged.”  There are storms rising, the winds are building, the house is ready to crumble under the onslaught.  What house?  Why the house of your soul.  “Rescue me!”  
     When storms have come, whether wind, rain, or fire, there is always the situation that follows–scavengers.  Those people who will raid a person’s home after the storm has passed just to please their greedy, evil appetites.  People who don’t mind hurting others, and seem to delight in it when they are down.  “Deliver me!” from the hands of evil.  It is an urgent cry, almost to the point of pleading, “Do it now.  I need help now!”  The NLT says these people, “stir up trouble all day long”; the NIV translates verse 2, “who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.”  There are people out there who go about wrecking havoc throughout society.  Ruthless people who care nothing about the rights, feelings, and property of others.  And their tongues, oh my, they run their mouths continuously against you.  Poison seems to be injected into every word they spit out.
     These evil people have a hidden agenda.  They set hidden traps.  One of the most feared traps during the Vietnam War were punji sticks hidden in holes along the paths.  On top of that the enemy would coat these sticks with feces to bring about quick infection.  They laid the trap for the unsuspecting, but even the old veteran sometimes fell into one of them.  Close scrutiny must be given to the path we are traveling on.  One cannot walk through life complacent or wham!  They are jammed with a punji stick hidden by the enemy.  Another careless traveler has been waylaid.  David writes, “Selah,” at the end of this.  Just think on this…just think on what type of person this is.  Hmmm, we should realize that the enemy of our souls is not a gentleman, but a seething evil being who wants nothing more than to hurt, destroy, or kill you.  Think of that!  Don’t let it leave your mind.
     But then…recall the next words and realize that you too can say them:  “You are my God!”  Note that in “the midst of this difficulty, his faith was active and dynamic.” (Lawson)  No matter who is out there to get you, no matter what circumstances may come your way, the Lord God Almighty is there with you.  When someone tries to get you to respond in a like manner, don’t give them that satisfaction.  Stay above their antics, be aware of them, but don’t give in to them.  Go to God, ask Him to act on your behalf, He is able and willing to deliver you.

               “Through all the changing scenes of life,
               In trouble and in joy,
               The praise of my God shall still
               My heart and tongue employ.”
                      –Nahum Tate