Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory. (Psalm 85:9)

Read: Joshua 13:1-14:15, Luke 18:1-17, Psalm 85:1-13, Proverbs 13:7-8

Relate: Today is going to be a big day here in Turkey. All across the country people are going to cast their vote “yes” or “no” on a list of 18 proposed amendments to the constitution. These amendments will abolish the position of prime minister, end the parliamentary system of government and gather much more power into the hands of the executive president (currently Erdoğan). Many no voters say this drastically eliminates the checks and balances necessary for good governance. Many yes voters will respond that it ends the coalition government system that has not been working so that the government can be able to more effectively respond to the growing needs put forward by the refugee crisis.

No matter how this vote shakes out, today is going to be a big day… but in all reality, the vote is merely a distraction from the real show. Today, in homes and churches throughout Turkey people will gather together to celebrate a far, far more epic and pivotal moment in the history of mankind. Just as those in China and Japan, Vietnam and Thailand have done earlier. Just as those in America and Canada, Brazil and Mexico will be doing later. Just as those all across Europe will be doing around the same time, people will be gathering to celebrate the greatest and most momentous achievement in the history of humanity.

Respond: They will be celebrating an empty tomb. At other times in history, people have raised from the dead. My aunt came back after more four minutes of being dead. They were already starting the death certificate when she returned. But about a decade later she died again. I had a professor whose daughter was dead for hours before God brought her back. In hospitals and prayer rooms the world over, down through time, there have been people returning from the dead thanks to the power of God through prayer and medicine. But none of them stayed alive. They all, immediately began dying once again just as all of us are doing even as you read and I write. We will all die.

Except Jesus. He died once, then God raised Him from the grave and even now two thousand years later He is still alive. This is what we in Turkey and throughout the world will celebrate. No vote can compare with this epic moment. No government can even begin to match the power displayed through this one act and no politician can even begin to offer the hope that we have through the resurrection of Christ. No matter how this vote plays out, God wins. Yesterday, today, forever… He is the One on the throne.

Respond:

Dear God,
Help me to not get distracted by the sideshows in life. Help me to not lose the big picture. You rule. You reign. No matter what circumstances, or politics, or wars might come You are the victorious King. Thank You that I have the privilege and honor of celebrating that victory today along with millions gathered together around the world. Help me to live in that victory. Help me to shout from the rooftops that Your empty tomb beans that we too can be free from the bonds of this world and live in the new life only You can offer.
Amen