Christ is risen! As we live in the light of the Empty Tomb, how has it changed how we live? As we enter the month of April, here is a second devotion that explores Easter’s impact on our daily lives:

IN WORD The Israelites wandered through the desert criticizing God for leading them into a place of no water—until God miraculously gave them water. Elijah prayed that God would withhold rain, and God did—until he prayed again for rain, and God gave it. In any age, droughts are serious business, taking livelihood and even lives from a water-dependent world. And the Israelites were well acquainted with them; both physically and spiritually, they had lived in some pretty dry places.
So whenever God promised to pour out water in those dry places, it painted a vivid picture of His mercy. He promised to rain righteousness on His people (Isaiah 45:8); He promised that those who trusted Him would be like trees planted next to life-giving streams (Psalm 1; Jeremiah 17:8); and, best of all, He declared Himself to be the rain that refreshes and the spring that brings life (Isaiah 44:3; Jeremiah 17:13). That’s nowhere clearer than it is in Jesus’ ministry. He offered a woman at a well the kind of water that would satisfy her thirst forever (John 4), and He told a hostile crowd that all who believed in Him would have rivers of living water flowing out of them (John 7:38). The image of God as a spring is a refreshing picture of salvation.
IN DEED God rains down on His people. Sometimes it’s a rain of judgment, but even then it has redeeming life in it. But more often, the falling rain and the bubbling spring are pure mercy, the righteousness and salvation of God saturating the people who need it most. Where do you need it most? All of us have parched places in our lives, and there’s nothing that will bring them to life but the streams of God. Fortunately, we have a holy Spring from whom all blessings flow. Plant yourself next to Him, let your roots grow deeply into Him, and watch your life flourish. “God is more anxious to bestow His blessings on us than we are to receive them.” - Augustine (“Worship the King” by Chris Tiegreen)

Romans chapters 7 and 8 contrast life before and after the Holy Spirit’s presence. Which chapter best reflects your life today? If it is chapter 7, ask the Holy Spirit to make you more reflective of chapter 8, for in the Spirit you will be able to experience the confident assurance of verses 28 – 39. Have a blessed week knowing that we have received the Holy Spirit who abides with us daily! – from Singapore, Pastor Sam