More people logged onto the YouVersion Bible app to read and share God’s word this Easter than any other time in the app’s decade-plus history.
It is unsurprising that Easter would be the app’s busiest
day each year. However, this year’s holiday far exceeded last year’s stats.
This Easter, 40.6 million people completed daily reading plans on Easter, up 54
percent from the year before. During Holy Week, another 14.1 million people
shared verses, up 30 percent from the year before.
This trend can be explained in part by the fact that we are
using our smartphones more during these days of stay-at-home restrictions. A
poll released Monday reported that a third of Americans say they are spending
more time on their smartphones for this reason.
But there’s more to the story. Consider the top verses shared on Easter. Several related specifically to Easter, such as Mark 16:6 and Luke 22:20. But Psalm 30:5 made the list as well: “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night be rejoicing comes in the morning.”
God intends that “the earth shall be full of the
knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9), but he
uses us to fulfill this purpose. He wants us to “make disciples of all
nations” (Matthew 28:19). His purpose is that “this gospel of the
kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all
nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).
This is one way he uses hard times for his glory and our
good—by showing us how much we need him and how much everyone else needs him as
well.
Hearing and sharing the words of God
There is something in human nature that wants to share the
good news we hear. We tell others about good books we read or movies we see. We
share exciting news when it is announced. We want others to know what we know
and feel what we feel.
And when we find help in hard places, we are even…
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