April 4

Date: April 4, 2026

Read: 1 Peter 3:18

Devotion:

One of my favorite worship songs is Graves Into Gardens. Yes, I love the beat and the sound in general, but all of that only adds to the beautiful and powerful message of the chorus. If you are unfamiliar with the song it says…

You turn mourning to dancing

You give beauty for ashes

You turn shame into glory

You’re the only one who can

You turn graves into gardens

You turn bones into armies

You turn seas into highways

You’re the only one who can

Today’s passage follows in line with this thinking. Jesus takes something that seems unredeemable or impossible or awful and He brings beauty and change to it. I love a good comeback story. And Jesus creates the ultimate comeback story for His followers through His death and resurrection.

A lot this series has been focused on the cost of following Jesus. BUT the reward of following Him is more precious than anything! We get to receive the benefit of His actions on the cross. He is righteous. Always does what is right in the eyes of God. We are unrighteous. We often do what is not right in the eyes of God–what is disobedient and sinful. He willingly allowed Himself to be put to death to bring us–the unrighteous–back into relationship with God. WOW!

He is a God of restoration and renewal. Next time we sing Graves Into Gardens, remember the price that was paid and the love that was displayed to make the unrighteous righteous in the eyes of God. The work that God Himself did to restore and heal the relationship we broke through sin. What a reason to celebrate!

Reflect:

Tomorrow we get to throw the biggest celebration! Just pause today, close your eyes, sit quietly for a couple minutes. Thank God for the gift of restoration and renewal He offers through Jesus.

Have you accepted this gift?

Have you shared the knowledge of this gift with someone else?

Are you living like one who has been set free?

Pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for sending Jesus to this earth. Thank You for wanting to have a relationship with me. Thank You for not giving up on me, an unrighteous sinner deserving of death. Jesus, thank You for willinging dying to redeem me. Thank You for restoring my relationship with the Father. I love You!