Romans 4:25. “He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.”
Just after World War II, a Preacher by the name of William Sangster, came down with a disease that gradually paralyzed him. Eventually, even his vocal cords were paralyzed. On Easter Sunday, his last Easter on earth, his daughter came to visit. Using stiffened fingers, he scribbled this message to her, “How terrible to wake up on Easter and have no voice with which to shout, ‘He is risen!’” Then, pausing for a moment, he added, “But it is even worse to have a voice and not want to shout.”
Many years ago I went to DeRidder, Louisiana to a campground to help with preparation for the upcoming campmeeting time. I was working with a retired pastor who had almost lost his voice. He had the kindest spirit of anyone I had ever been around. As he and I worked together I had to listen very closely to hear him talk. I remember him saying, “Son, listen to me. Always have an occupation besides preaching because you never know when you might lose your voice like I have.”
We all need to be like the Psalmist when he said in Psalm 9:1-2, “I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.”
Tomorrow we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb. For the child of God it’s time to rejoice and give thanks with our voice while we can. Yes! Give God praise for what He did for us. He is alive and lives within us if we belong to Him!