1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (NIV)

51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed– 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:54-55 (NIV)

54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

DEVOTION – Beverly Varnado (Georgia)

One Ash Wednesday, I attended a graveside funeral service for a 16-year-old boy, the son of family friends.  He had died in an automobile accident days before.  As the mourners gathered by the freshly turned earth, grief washed over me.  “Why?”  seemed to be the question on everyone’s lips.  “Why did this boy, bright with promise who loved God passionately, die so young?”

No one knows why tragedies occur.  But remembering the whole picture helps me.  As Christians, we know that our story does not end on Ash Wednesday.  Nor does it end on Good Friday.  Early on Sunday, the stone rolled away; Jesus emerged alive from a dark tomb and eternally shattered the grip of death.  On resurrection morning, Jesus gave us the ability to look death straight in the eyes, and say, “it isn’t over.”  To those who put their trust in the resurrected One, Jesus gives the assurance of eternal life.  Jesus’ words, “The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25), bring immeasurable comfort and hope to any who would believe – especially those dealing with the loss of a loved one.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Every day we can have victory in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for bearing the cross for us.  Thank you for rising from the dead and conquering death forever.  Amen.

PRAYER FOCUS: PARENTS GRIEVING THE LOSS OF A CHILD