This was written by Dr. Tom Farmer Jr. and first published some years ago for Saint Paul United Methodist Church of Largo.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
King James Version (KJV)
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Victory That Overcometh The World
It has been one of the greatest privileges of the ministry to listen to the hearts of those left behind as they seek to work their way through the experience of the valley of the shadow of death.
Although it may seem strange at first, I want to say what an uplifting and inspiring time it has been for me to witness how magnificently God has provided for us in death. There comes a time when death arrives as a welcome visitor to release the person we love so much from a body which can no longer house our beloved. It brings an end to pain and suffering and difficulty.
The truth is that we never get ready or are willing to give up in death those we love even if they live to be 100! And that’s OK! It is because we do not want to be separated from those who have made such a difference in our lives. Whether death comes in the early, middle or late years, in the spectrum of life it is all the same.
God has built into the fiber of our existence this thing we call death for a reason. I do not intend to sound as if I know the mind of God or the purpose of death. No, far be it from that. Death is a mysterious thing that shall always remain perceived “through a glass dimly.”
But we must begin with the affirmation that God created death, just as God created life. Therefore, we can rest assured that if God made it, then it is a part of God’s great design and plan. I believe it was after the death of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s son that he came to the place where he shared these deeply insightful lines… “I have learned that just as I have trusted God in life – even so I must trust God in death.”
I truly believe that God loves our precious departed family members and friends EVEN MORE than we do! I am confident that we can rest upon this fact. God’s searching love comes to our beloved in the instant of death, and it is received in that very nanosecond.
God not only provides for those who pass through the portal of death, God also provides for those who remain yet for a while. He surrounds survivors with love and comfort. He shows the bereaved signs and wonders of His love and grace. This happens through the actions of friends, family members, church members, and through countless little ways and unique experiences.
God continues to comfort, heal, strengthen and support those who feel most deeply the sorrow and grief that naturally falls upon the bereaved. God is so good! He has made provisions for us in life and in death.
“Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal!” or as Jesus said: “Let not your hearts be troubled… or afraid. You can believe in God and you can also believe in me!”
Paul has the same good words: “This is the victory that overcometh the world!”
Do not fear death. Prepare for it by living life fully and joyfully. Use each moment. We are allowed to build loving memories that will come back to bless and sustain our family and friends. Let's all do that.
Then we can say with Paul: “O Death, where is thy victory? O Death, where is thy sting? But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”
Prayer: Father, let us understand that knowing Jesus as our Savior forever removes the fear of death! Amen.
Above comes to us via HardisonInk.com, our local online newspaper.
