O Death, Where is Your Victory?

Jesus makes us two promises in John 16:33. The first: "In this world you will have tribulation." In the past few weeks, I've lost three precious friends. A woman who was like a grandmother to me, a former youth leader, and a sweet friend from high school. Some might say that the world has lost three beautiful souls. I disagree. These women did not belong to the world in the first place. These beautiful souls were, and will forever be, daughters of God.

They are where their souls longed to be, but the rest of us are left with broken hearts, and maybe even some shattered dreams. "In this world you will have tribulation..." You got that right.

Praise the Lord that that's not the end of the story. Jesus goes on to say, "But take heart, I have overcome the world."

So, what?

So, there's hope.

Your story isn't over and your job isn't done. You may be facing some of the hardest, longest, and foggiest days of your life. But, take heart. It's not in vain. You are not alone. Jesus himself goes before us and prepares the way for us. He doesn't leave us to wander around in a fog. In our darkest days, he does more than guide us, he carries us. Through the funeral when you can't believe that this is really happening, and through the holidays that seem more bitter than sweet. Through the nights plagued with loneliness, and through the days that seem to never end.

He has overcome. He's done it. There's nothing you can't face because Jesus has already faced it and won. Rest in his victory! Dwell in his hope for a beautiful tomorrow!

""Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers [and sisters!], be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." -1 Corinthians 15:54-58