Holding On in the Waiting

Lenten Devotional-Day 40- Easter Eve 

Scripture Focus:

• Job 14:1-14
• Psalm 31:1-9, 19-24
• 1 Peter 4:1-8
• John 19:38–end

Reflection:

Today is the 40th day of the Lenten journey. We’ve fasted, prayed, repented, and drawn closer to God. Now we arrive at Easter Eve—a quiet day of waiting between the sorrow of Good Friday and the joy of Easter Sunday.

In Job 14:1-14, we hear Job's cry from a place of deep pain: "Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble." Maybe you’ve felt this too—life feels short, hard, and full of questions. Job wrestles with suffering and wonders, “If someone dies, will they live again?” This honest question echoes in our hearts as we reflect on Jesus’ burial.

But Psalm 31 reminds us: even in our most painful seasons, we can trust God. "Into Your hands I commit my spirit," says David—words Jesus echoed on the cross. We might feel buried under life’s pressures, disappointments, or waiting seasons. But like David, we can say, “I trust You, Lord. My times are in Your hands.”

In 1 Peter 4:1-8, we are called to arm ourselves with the mindset of Christ. Jesus suffered in the flesh, and so will we—but not without purpose. We’re encouraged to live for God’s will, not our old ways. Most importantly, Peter urges: “Love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” In this waiting moment, let love be our response.

And in John 19:38-end, we see two quiet but courageous men—Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus—stepping up to care for Jesus’ body. They weren’t loud or popular, but they acted in love and honor. They remind us that even in the darkest times, we can still serve, still love, and still hope.

Takeaway: Today may feel silent. But silence doesn’t mean God is absent. Easter Eve is a powerful reminder that even when it feels like all hope is buried, God is still working.

Hold on.

Your resurrection is coming.

Practical Steps:

1. Reflect quietly today. Turn off distractions and spend a few moments listening for God’s whisper.
2. Do something loving in silence—send a message to someone who’s grieving, donate quietly, or pray for someone in need.
3. Trust God in the waiting. Write down an area where you feel stuck or confused. Then say aloud: “My times are in Your hands.”

Prayer:

Lord, today feels quiet. It’s hard to sit in the in-between. But I trust You. As Job questioned, as David cried, as Peter encouraged, and as Joseph and Nicodemus honored—you are present even in the silence. Teach me to wait with faith. Help me to love deeply and live boldly, knowing that Sunday is coming. In Jesus' name, Amen.