Many of you are going through a hard time right now and you may be afraid, confused, angry, embarrassed, and are not sure how this thing is going to work out.  It may be financial, relational, you may have lost a loved one, you may have made a dumb mistake or gone down the path of temptation and you feel like, “Oh, what am I going to do now?”  “It’s over, all is lost.”  Well, I want you to compare your situation with some people you may have heard about who were in a situation similar to yours and let’s see how it worked out for them.

Mary Magdalene was one of the women who were followers of Jesus and ministered to him (Matthew 15:41).  She was at the crucifixion and was the first one to arrive at the tomb just after the Sabbath day.  Imagine how she felt after witnessing that horrific crucifixion and seeing Jesus taken away.  She loved him and believed he was going to be their king.  Now he was dead and buried.  She must have felt that all was lost.

Jesus’ disciples were holed up in a room with the door locked frightened and grief stricken.  Since they were part of Jesus’ company, they thought soldiers would be coming for them next. Peter and John had been to the tomb and found it empty.  What was going on?  Adding to their grief was confusion about what was going to happen next.  Jesus had told them he would rise from death but they didn’t see how this could happen.  Fear, grief and confusion; they must have wondered, with the death of their master, what now.  It seemed that all was lost!

After Peter and John went back to the others, Mary was left at the tomb alone when Jesus appeared to her.  Imagine her elation to find that all was NOT lost.  She ran back to tell the others but they still didn’t believe. She did. Then, on the first day of the week, Jesus appeared to the disciples in the locked room.  Now they believed and realized all was NOT lost!

Now, about your situation.  It may seem dark, impossible and that all is lost BUT the same Jesus that relieved the fears of his followers is alive and here today to shine mercy, grace and wisdom upon you.  Thank Him for dying for you, for rising from the grave and ask Him for help.  All is NOT lost!