But God… Ended the Pains of Death
Day 15: “But God…The Power of Divine Intervention”
Read Acts 2
Acts 2:24 (CSB) — “God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death.”
Reflection:
Death thought it had the final word.
When Jesus was crucified, wrapped, buried, and sealed in the tomb, the world went silent. Grief settled in. The disciples scattered. The powers of darkness rejoiced.
But God…
Peter stood up in Acts 2 and declared it with boldness: God raised Jesus up. Death could not hold Him. Its grip broke. Its sting was shattered. The Author of Life could not be contained by the curse of death.
That wasn’t just good news then. It still is.
For every place in your life that feels lifeless, hopeless, or buried—there is resurrection power. You don’t have to be held hostage by fear, shame, grief, or disappointment. You don’t have to stay buried in sorrow or stuck in survival mode.
Jesus didn’t defeat death for Himself—He did it for you and me.
He ended the pain of eternal separation. He tore the veil. He gave you access to walk in freedom and confidence—even when life is still hard.
This is the Good News of the Gospel:
You are no longer a slave to fear.
You are not defeated.
You are not abandoned.
Even when pain and disappointment are present —you are free.
Victory in Christ is not something you earn—it’s the ground you already stand on.
Reflection Questions:
Where in my life am I still living like I’m stuck—when Christ has already set me free?
🤔(Am I carrying shame, fear, or control in a way that Christ already conquered?)
If I truly believed Jesus finished the work, how would it change the way I respond to stress, conflict, or criticism?
🤔(Would I be quicker to forgive? Slower to defend myself? More at peace with outcomes I can’t control?)
How might embracing a resurrection mindset help me love others better in hard relationships—or stay hopeful in seasons that feel stuck?
🤔(What does it look like to walk in freedom even when things don’t feel “fixed” yet?)
My “But God” Moment: Living Free While Still in Process
This devotional isn’t just about what I believe.
It’s about what I’m doing differently—because I believe Jesus already finished the work.
There was a time when I felt ashamed that anxiety and panic still showed up in my life. I thought freedom meant I had to feel completely strong all the time. But God reminded me that freedom isn’t the absence of struggle—it’s the presence of Christ in the midst of it.
So now, I engage.
I show up.
I walk with others while I’m still in process.
That’s not hypocrisy. That’s faith.
That’s freedom.
That’s what it means to live like the resurrection is real today.
I’m learning to cling to promises even while my emotions catch up.
I’m learning to open my Bible not just for knowledge, but for life support.
I’m learning that being completely loved, forgiven, and empowered doesn’t require perfection—it just requires surrender.
The Word That Grounds Me
Hebrews 12 keeps bubbling up in my spirit. Jesus endured rejection, betrayal, injustice, and agonizing pain—and He kept going. Why?
Because of the joy set before Him.
Because love was the prize.
We were the prize.
And when I think about what He endured so I could be free, it fills my heart with love and gratitude—so much that it starts to spill over. That love becomes easier to extend to other people.
But the hardest part?
Has been learning to extend it to myself.
Learning to Love Myself Too
Scripture says to love others as yourself. For so long, I missed the “as yourself” part. I thought self-care was selfish, but now I see that neglecting myself was actually disobedience disguised as humility.
If I’m going to live out the greatest commandment—to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love others as myself—then I have to be spiritually and emotionally healthy enough to do it.
I’m learning that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection not only purchased my salvation—it gave me permission to rest in His love, to receive care, to walk in freedom, and to live this life with purpose even when I don’t feel “finished.”
Scriptures that Echo This Journey:
📖 Hebrews 12:2 (CSB):
“For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
📖 Philippians 2:12–13 (CSB):
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.”
📖 Galatians 5:1 (CSB):
“For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
📖 Romans 8:1 (CSB):
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.”
📖 Matthew 22:37–39 (CSB):
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ … ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
📖 Isaiah 30:15 (CSB):
“In returning and rest you will be saved; in quietness and trust is your strength.”