A Saturday kind of Season
April 7, 2012 // By: Bob Hamp // 28 Comments
Yesterday we celebrated something which, at the time of the actual event, was not celebrated but mourned. The death of Jesus was, to most, a shocking and devastating end to a soaring hope. All the faith that His followers put in Him collapsed to the sound of a clanging hammer. Tomorrow we celebrate the single most important day in human history, but also in God’s calendar. We celebrate the day the resurrection of One and the restoration of all God’s family took place in a garden outside Jerusalem. But what about today? What about Saturday? Is there anything we can commemorate today?
Saturday is the “day in between”, the day we can celebrate what God has said, that has not yet come to pass. Saturday, between the crucifixion and the resurrection is a day to remind us that much of life is lived between the seemingly impossible promises of God, and their final fulfillment.
“I will rise again” seems a hollow promise on the day when the lips from which the promise was uttered are cold and lifeless in a grave.
When hope is completely obliterated and no sign of God’s goodness is visible, Saturday reminds us that the feelings of fear, or hopelessness can be stifling simply because we do not yet see the end of the story. Saturday reminds us that God comes through, even though today we may feel He has abandoned us. Saturday reminds us that death has a power of it’s own, and sometimes it’s a necessary step to reach Sunday.
I think this year Saturday can speak to the season of the church today. Old things are collapsing around us. Systems and even leaders we once put our hope in are increasingly lifeless. Could it be that these things are not dying because God gave up, bur because God works through resurrections.
Whether in your personal circumstances, or in the season of the world system. Celebrate Saturday. God loves to set us up for new life and overwhelming surprises.
28 Comments
thank you Bob…I needed this this morning…I have been reminded over the last 18 months about how much of life is lived in the “in between”. I posted on my FB this morning prior to reading your blog I Kings 8:23. “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion.” ~ May I continue to walk before Him in wholehearted devotion…
Wow. Great post,
The bow draws back…
Thank you Lord for this word! What an encouragement, that while we experience our Saturdays we are not alone. The King knows what it is to wait.
Love it! Great way to start my Saturday…with gratefulness and expectancy! “God works through resurrections!” Amen and Amen!
Love this. What a great reminder that things are not always what they seem.
WOW. This is exactly where I am and exactly what I needed to encourage me! Praise GOD!
I LOVE this! I will share it with friends, such a great word of hope!!
“Saturday, between the crucifixion and the resurrection is a day to remind us that much of life is lived between the seemingly impossible promises of God, and their final fulfillment.”
DUDE! Love your heart!
What God writes through just gets better and better and better. Celebrate Saturday! Because of reading this, my Saturday – my today – will have brand new meaning and a significance that is already bubbling up in my heart as I write this.
“Saturday is the “day in between”, the day we can celebrate what God has said, that has not yet come to pass. Saturday, between the crucifixion and the resurrection is a day to remind us that much of life is lived between the seemingly impossible promises of God, and their final fulfillment.”
“Saturday reminds us that death has a power of it’s own, and sometimes is a necessary step to reach Sunday.”
I could put your whole blog down here, but these words whole significant meaning for me.
One day, when I grow up, I pray to have the wisdom God has been filling you up with for so long.
You (and Alan) inspire and encourage me because God – and His work – is so evident in both of you. Thank you for being the vessel you are.
oops…it was supposed to read:
What God writes through ‘you’…
My brain moving faster than my fingers.
Thank you. I needed that reminder, that perspective. His promises are true, even more than we hope for…
Amen!! Well put. His resurrected life for us is far better than anything we could do on our own.
Thank you for this! I love the things God shares with me through you! Amen!
This is just excellent. We go to such heroic lengths to avoid the cross. But, our role is to die. Resurrection is what He does. Thank you for the reminder.
In light of the dinner conversation last night, we seem to forget that how God completes a season is not always the way we expect it to be but better. For what man lost in the first Adam he more than gained in the second Adam. They were looking for a King in terms that they understood and got an inheritance of life when they couldn’t put language to that essential need they had & each of us has.
I love this paragraph; “Saturday is the “day in between”, the day we can celebrate what God has said, that has not yet come to pass. Saturday, between the crucifixion and the resurrection is a day to remind us that much of life is lived between the seemingly impossible promises of God, and their final fulfillment.”
I’ve lived much of my Christian life on Saturday. It’s been a long day. But I know Sunday’s coming. And it’s enough.
What a great explanation!!
Thank you for your perspective and insight. This is the 4th time in about 10 days that the phrase “in between time” has come across my path. The 3rd time I heard it I knew that it was meant for me and I have been praying about the purpose and meaning for me. I am still pondering and waiting on revelation but grateful for the nourishment and insight along the way. Thank you!!!
Wow!! Thanks! I’m speechless, and so glad to have this perspective.
Thank you so much for this post. It literally spoke volumes to me! Sometimes it is easier for me to understand Fridays, (the day of death to self) but honestly, many times during those long Saturdays, I bought the lie that there is something wrong with me or that something wrong happened and yet … the seed of life is just being germinated and getting ready to bring forth life … . Thank you for sharing.
Yo, Bro-Bob!!!
Love it. Hate it. No, make that, I’m learning to thank PAPA for all the Saturdays in my life!
And thank you, Bro-man, for allowing our KING JESUS to use you to share such PHENOMENAL news!
PAPA’S Blessings upon you, your family, & your ministry!!!
In His Great Love!
Melanee
I understand Saturdays. I have lived for the last 11-12 months with these words from God, “It is coming.” Unlike the apostles, I know something is coming, but just like them I have no way of knowing the what of the matter. Even if I knew the what, the details are all God’s and will look very little like I expect them to look.
Something about the special Saturday is that Jesus was taking back what the enemy had stolen. His physical blood poured out on Friday and on Saturday His blood was taking back the Kingdom and defeating death. Collectively, we have been living in Saturday for 2000 years. Cool thing is that we know the final Sunday is coming. In the in between times, He will give you your personal Sunday morning many times over, if you let Him.
Let Him.
So good…..and very much needed. Thank you for sharing.
Oh Saturday! I needed to hear this…Friday’s death, Saturday’s faith (which I’m sure follows its doubt) and Sunday’s resurrection. Lord, give us faith on Saturday to hope and believe for Sunday! Thanks Bob!
I did read; I was encouraged; I am grateful. This is my first introduction to your writings, Mr. Hamp. I am impressed to read more. I find myself living in the Saturdays most of the time, as do most others i am sure. It would be unbearable to live through the devastation of too many Fridays or the uphoria of too many Sundays. But, oh the challenge of living the Saturdays.
Thanks so much for this, Bob – “God loves to set us up for new life and overwhelming surprises.” Hallelujah, there is another Sunday coming when He splits the eastern sky as King of Kings and Lords of Lords!!!!!! I’ve seen some pretty awesome Sundays… but that “Sunday,” Wow!!!! That will usher in new life and overwhelming surprises at a whole new level! Mmmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm!
Bless, bless, bless!!
Brenda, welcome then for a first time reader. Glad you found me. Keep me posted on your Sunday and Saturday adventures!
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