“Death engulfed in victory!” — 1 Corinthians 15:54
The story of the Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges tells about the Roman soldier Mark Rufe, who drank water from a secret river and became immortal. However, over time, Mark realizes that immortality is not at all what he imagined it to be. A life without limits turned out to be a life without meaning. It is death that gives meaning to life. Mark finds an antidote – a stream of clean water. After drinking from it, he injures his hand on a thorn. The drop of blood that appears marks the return of mortality.
Like Mark, we also sometimes think with despair about the extinction of life and the inevitability of death (Ps. 87:4). And one can agree that death gives meaning and significance to life. However, the similarity ends there. Unlike Mark, we know that the true meaning of our lives is the death of Christ. With the blood that Jesus shed on the cross, He conquered death (1 Cor. 15:54). His “living water” became our antidote (John 4:10). For those who drank it, all the laws of life, death and immortality change (1 Cor. 15:52).
Yes, we cannot avoid physical death, but it is not important for us. The Lord Jesus freed us from the fear of death (Heb. 2:11-15). In Christ we are guaranteed eternal life and meaningful joy in heaven.
What worries you? What are your thoughts on death? How does 1 Corinthians 15 encourage you?
God, help me to accept Your promises of eternal life with You.
“Why, my soul, are you sad?… Have hope in God.” — Psalm 42:5
“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Morning” is an unusual Christmas carol based on a poem written by Henry Longfellow in 1863. Instead of the expected celebration and joy, the lyrics of the song resemble crying.
“I am sad from the noise of the holiday And longing gripped my heart: What kind of peace is there when hatred is everywhere? In the midst of pain and evil, how will I celebrate?” However, then crying is replaced by hope, because “The Lord did not die, did not sleep, did not hide, Having put on a body, He descended to earth; The light of salvation shone in man, Favor has been given to us forever.”
The theme of hope born from weeping is prominent in many biblical psalms of weeping. One of them is Psalm 42. It begins with the psalmist complaining about the threats of his enemies (v. 1), and God seems to have forgotten him (v. 2). However, then the author stops complaining and turns his gaze to God, whom he does not fully understand, but whom he trusts: “Why, my soul, are you sad, and why are you worried about me? Have hope in God, because I will still thank Him for His salvation, my God!” (v. 5).
There are many reasons to cry in life. They appear regularly. However, if we come to the God of hope with all this, our weeping will turn into a song of praise, even if we sing through tears.
What worries you now? Based on the Bible’s testimony, how can God give you hope in this season of life?
Father, I cry out to You because I am suffering under the burdens of life. Remind me that my help comes from above, from the Creator of heaven and earth.
“Let love not be hypocritical; hate evil and cling to good!” — Romans 12:9
When we park our car near a wasteland and walk home through it, we almost always bring weed seeds with us, especially in the fall. Little “companions” cling to clothes, shoes and things to get to new places of stay. This is the natural way many weeds throughout the world spread their seeds.
Carefully removing these seeds from my belongings, I often remember the Apostle Paul’s call to believers in Jesus: “Cling to what is good” (Rom. 12:9). When we try to love others, we know how difficult it is. However, the Holy Spirit helps us with all our strength to hold on to what is good, and therefore we are able to show “unfeigned” love (v. 9).
Weed seeds cannot be simply shaken off by hand. It holds tightly to the fabric. If we focus on the good and remember God’s commandments of mercy and compassion, then with His help we will be able to stay close to those we love. God helps us to “[love] one another with brotherly love” and to put other people’s needs before our own (v. 10).
Yes, weeds are a problem. However, they also remind me of the fact that the Lord has called me to serve my neighbors with love and with His help to “cling to good” (v. 9; see also Phil. 4:8-9).
How can the exhortation to hold on to the good help you love a friend or relative with a difficult personality? Why is true love also persistent love?
Lord Jesus, remind me of the need to hold on to the good with all my might. I desire to reflect Your love to others.
“The Lord is my rock… He is my tower and my refuge! My Savior.” — 2 Samuel 22:2-3
A basketball match between teams of sixth graders was held in the school gym. While parents cheered on their boys in the stands, younger brothers and sisters played in the school lobby. Suddenly the lights flashed and the sound of sirens was heard. The fire alarm went off. After a few seconds, children ran to the gym in search of their parents.
There was no fire; the alarm went off accidentally. However, I was impressed by the children’s behavior. Sensing danger, they immediately ran to their parents. What a wonderful picture of children’s confidence in those who could give them a sense of safety and security in their moments of fear!
The Bible tells of a time when David felt great fear. King Saul and other numerous enemies (2 Sam. 22:1) pursued him everywhere. However, the Lord saved him from all threats, and a grateful David sang a song of praise about God’s help: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress… He is my Savior” (v. 2). When the “snares of Sheol” and “deadly snares” (v. 6) entangled him, he called out to God, and God heard him (v. 7). In the end, David proclaimed: “He saved me” (vv. 18, 20, 49).
In times of fear and uncertainty, we can run to the “rock” (v. 32). If we cry to God, He gives us shelter (vv. 2-3).
What fear are you trying to deal with right now? How can God help you deal with it?
Dear God, when I am afraid, remind me of the need to trust You, rely on You, and glorify Your Name.
“Carry one another’s burdens, and thus you will fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2
When a woman in our newly formed Bible study group experienced a problem, we all unexpectedly began to share a deep personal experience. Someone’s father died. Someone went through a divorce. Someone had a completely deaf baby. Someone barely managed to bring the child to the hospital in time. These are all burdens that are difficult to bear. Awareness of our own vulnerability prompted us to open up to each other. We cried and prayed together. In just a few weeks, we turned from strangers to close friends.
Being members of the same Body, believers can in a special way support each other in times of difficulty. We have become brothers and sisters in Christ, and our relationship is not defined by common interests or the time period of our acquaintance. We are called, as the apostle Paul wrote, to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2). Relying on God’s strength, we listen, empathize, help and pray. We try to “do good to all, but especially to those who believe” (v. 10). The Apostle Paul says that this is how we fulfill the law of Christ (v. 2) – to love God and our neighbors as ourselves. Life’s burdens can be heavy, but the Lord gave us the church to lighten them.
Who is suffering around you? How can you lighten their burdens today?
Dear God, thank you that no matter what my circumstances are, You always walk beside me. Help me to show this love to other people as well.
“May your reward be full from the Lord… that you have come to hide under His wings!” — Ruth 2:12
Maria decided to have lunch at a fast food restaurant. When she sat down at an empty table and started eating a hamburger, she noticed a young man sitting nearby. His clothes were dirty, his hair was disheveled, and he was holding an empty paper cup in his hand. He was obviously hungry. But how to help? Giving him money is unlikely to be a smart decision. If you buy him lunch, he may feel humiliated.
Suddenly Mary remembered the story of Ruth, a destitute widow from Moab, who was invited by Boaz, a wealthy landowner, to gather ears of corn in his field. He ordered his servants: “And let her glean between the sheaves, and do not offend her. And also throw her some of the sheaves, and leave her alone, and she will glean, and you do not scold her” (Ruth. 2:15-16). In a culture where women could only survive because of men, Boaz showed the attitude and care of God Himself. In the end, he married Ruth and saved her from trouble (Ruth 4:9-10).
Getting ready to leave, Maria put a whole bag of fried potatoes on the nearby table and looked kindly at the young man. If he was hungry, he could gather “ears” in her “field”. In the Bible stories, God’s heart is revealed; in them you can always find creative solutions for encouragement.
Is there someone whom you can invite today to “gather the ears” in the bountiful field of your life? Ask God to show you the needs of the people around you so that you can show His care.
Dear Father, show me those who need me to show them Your love.
“Only kindness and mercy will accompany me all the days of my life.” — Psalm 22:6
One day I was walking down the street and another man was walking a block away. He had several packages in his hands. Suddenly he tripped and fell. Passers-by helped him to get up and collect the scattered things. However, they did not notice something – a wallet that was left on the sidewalk. I picked it up and ran after the stranger to give him this surely important item. “Sir! Sir!” I called and finally got his attention. He turned back just as I ran up to him. I will never forget his look, in which surprise changed to joyful gratitude.
At first I was just following this person, but then my following turned into stalking. In the final verse of Psalm 22 it is said: “Only goodness and mercy will accompany me” (v. 6). The word “accompany” fits well with the overall context of the passage, but the original Hebrew word has a more dynamic meaning. It literally means “to pursue or pursue,” like a predator hunting prey (think, for example, of a wolf chasing a sheep).
God’s goodness and mercy do not follow us slowly, like a dog lazily following its master. No, they’re after us! As I overtook a passer-by to give him a wallet, so the Good Shepherd, Who loves us with eternal love, overtook us (vv. 1, 6).
Do you believe that God’s mercy is really “pursuing” you? If not, then why does the Bible use this word?
Good Shepherd, thank you that Your goodness and mercy always follow me.
“She… spoke about Him to everyone who was waiting for the liberation of Jerusalem.” — Luke 2:38
On a busy day before Christmas, an elderly woman walked into the post office. Watching her slow walk, a patient post office worker greeted the woman: “Greetings, young lady!” His words sounded friendly, but some may have heard in them a hint that it would be better if she were younger.
The Bible shows that the elderly can revive our hope. When Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple to dedicate Him to the Lord (Lk. 2:23; see Ex. 13:2, 12), two elderly believers suddenly became the center of attention.
At first, Semyon, who had been waiting for years for the moment when he would be able to see the Messiah, “took [Jesus] in his arms, gave praise to God and said: “Now, Lord, you are letting your servant go in peace according to your word, because my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all nations” (Lk. 2:28-31).
And then they were joined by Anna, a prophetess who “lived to a very old age” (v. 36). The widow, who lived in marriage for only seven years, never left the temple until the age of eighty-four, “serving God day and night with fasting and prayers.” Seeing Jesus, Anna began to praise God and speak “about Him to all who were waiting for the liberation of Jerusalem” (vv. 37-38).
These two optimistic ministers call us always and at any age to rely on God, putting great hopes on Him.
What have you learned from older people about God’s faithfulness? How does their hope inspire you?
Dear Father, if we lose hope, remind us of the need to trust in You.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” — Matthew 6:11
One Saturday morning, our young children decided to get up early and prepare breakfast for themselves. And my wife and I tried to sleep at least until seven in the morning after a hard week. But suddenly there was a rumble in the kitchen. I jumped up and rushed down the stairs to find a broken bowl, scattered oatmeal, and our five-year-old Jonas desperately trying to clean up the goo from the floor. The children were hungry, but decided not to ask for help. They wanted to be independent. The result was not a culinary masterpiece.
In earthly life, children, growing up, should become independent from their parents. But in a relationship with God, maturity means moving in the opposite direction: from independence to dependence on Him. One of the areas where we practice this dependence is prayer. When Jesus taught His disciples (and all those who believed in Him) to pray: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Mt. 6:11), He taught the prayer of dependence. Bread is a metaphor for care, salvation, and guidance (vv. 11-13). In all this and much more, we depend on God.
There are no self-sufficient Christians. And we will never stop needing Christ’s grace. We will begin our entire lives each day by accepting a dependent position before our Heavenly Father (v. 9).
What “bread” are you praying for today? What does your hope in God show when you turn to Him?
Lord Jesus, You are my Creator and Protector. Please help me to trust You.
