Good Friday sure doesn’t seem like a good day. It’s the day we remember the suffering our Savior went through. It’s the day we lower our heads as the world darkens & Jesus takes His last breath. It’s a day full of heartache and confusion. Friday is a day of defeat. 

 

Or so we thought. 

 

But Sunday’s coming!! On Sunday, our Savior is risen. He conquers death and our sin right along with it. Sunday is the best day filled with joy. Promises and prayers are answered on Sunday and we are reminded that God is faithful. 

 

But what about Saturday? The time between defeat & deliverance is hard.  

 

Yesterday, the Messiah was crucified and buried. Two thousand years ago, Saturday felt hopeless. But now, we have the privilege of knowing the outcome. 

 

I think the importance of Saturday gets easily overlooked. It’s a day full of waiting in hope. It’s a day of preparation for the deliverance we know is coming. And is that not what a lot of our lives consists of -- waiting on God? 

 

I have found that I often find myself waiting on God to answer my prayers. It’s easy to be in a place where I’m just wanting God to do something or rescue me from the dark, usually pretty impatiently. 

 

But have you ever looked up the definition for “waiting”? There’s several different definitions, but my favorite says this: 

 

(verb) Remain in readiness for some purpose; Rest, Pause 

 

We need Saturday. It gives us a chance to reflect on Friday -- the tragedy & sorrow. Saturday is necessary for Him to strengthen us to find hope. It teaches us to focus on Him through all of life’s seasons. Waiting is hard, but waiting is important. God is at work in the waiting, preparing us for what is to come. If you’re at all familiar with the story of the Bible, you know that waiting is a recurring theme. 

 

Abraham waited 25 years for the son God promised him. 

Moses waited 40 years in the desert. 

Joseph waited 13 years in prison for God to raise him up as a leader. 

Job waited real long for God to restore & deliver him. 

 

If God’s making you wait on something, too, know that He is working in the midst of it. When He tells you “not now” or your life seems dark, keep in mind that He will answer your prayers. Trust His plan. Trust His timing. 

 

Take courage my heart, stay steadfast my soul. Today is Saturday, but Sunday is coming.