Give Up Death
Psalm 23:4
Wednesday, April 4th
God is with you. You are not hidden from his sight. He is near.
I probably have not told you anything new. I ' m sure you ' ve heard that before. I ' m also sure you have sometimes forgotten that God is with you. Sometimes I have.
Why? Why do we forget?
Maybe your fears led you to forget. Or maybe you were so busy that this just slipped your mind. But our forgetfulness doesn ' t change reality. The Lord is with you. Even when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, he is with you. Even if you don ' t feel it, he is with you.
That ' s true even in the face of death. It hurts so much to say goodbye to the people we love. Yet not even death can separate God from his people. Death loses some of its sting when we remember that God uses it to usher his flock into heaven. God will be with you, even when death stings.
Think about Lent. A lot of people gave up things for Lent. Maybe they gave up candy or coffee or some meat. Maybe they avoided a vice and temptation. If that is what you did, more power to you.
But don’ t miss what God gives up for us. Jesus suffered to give up and end our prospect of suffering in hell. Death for you isn’ t an unknown mystery. Death is the beginning of eternal life in paradise. You do not need to be afraid. Your Good Shepherd won’ t leave your side, not even on your death bed.
Think about Easter. Jesus conquered death. He destroyed death’ s domain, he simply left his tomb alive. You will live, just like Jesus lives. You will rise, just like Jesus rose. Your body will be glorified, just as Jesus’ body is glorified. Give up death. Death isn’ t your end. You won’ t have an end. Your Good Shepherd is with you now and forever.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to rescue me from sin and death. Remind me of your promises when I am discouraged. Give me a hunger for your Word and keep my faith fed until it is time for me to go to my heavenly home. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.
Activity: Jesus is our Good Shepherd. Using the internet or an encyclopedia, figure out why this is such a beautiful picture of our relationship with God. How do shepherds deliver their sheep from death? How do sheep know who their shepherd is? How do shepherd provide for the needs of their sheep? Lastly, how is Jesus your Good Shepherd?
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