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.
(1 Corinthians 15: 54-57)
Recently several friends of mine or relatives of my friends went to heaven. While there was joy because pain, suffering and sickness had ended, there was deep sadness because the departed are permanently separated from this world.
My god-daughter’s father received Christ on his deathbed. He had been taken ill and surgery was required. After the surgery, he went into a coma. But after a few days, he woke up. He was lucid and happy and had the opportunity to hear the gospel message yet again. He received Christ but went into a coma for the second time. As preparation was being made for his funeral, he woke up! He asked to be baptized and right there in the ICU, he was baptized. Three days later Jesus came and received him into his presence! Angels in heaven rejoiced and we on earth who knew him were thrilled that one more child had entered God’s kingdom.
Death is a terrible thing as it separates the living from the dead. But for those who know Jesus as their God and Saviour, death is certainly not something to be feared. Death has lost its sting and death has been swallowed by victory! Jesus has conquered sin and death! Hallelujah, What a Saviour!
The Queen of Gospel Music, Dottie Rambo, wrote the lyrics and composed music for over 2000 songs. She wrote a song right after the funeral of her brother – He Restores My Soul in the Valley. Many of her songs were birthed through deep suffering. Another of her songs, I’m Sheltered in the Arms of God, ministered to me most recently.
I feel the touch of hands so kind and tender,
They’re leading me in paths that I must trod,
I’ll have no fear ‘cos Jesus walks beside me,
For I’m sheltered in the arms of God.
So let the storms rage high,
The dark clouds rise,
They won’t worry me,
For I’m sheltered safe within the arms of God.
He walks with me and naught of earth shall harm me,
For I’m sheltered in the arms of God.
The songs Dottie Rambo composed were the result of her deep relationship with Jesus Christ, anchored on the Word of God and on the unchanging character of God. Like King David, Dottie communed with God daily and found her strength in Him. Like David she understood well what it meant to take refuge under the shelter of [God’s] wings (Psalm 61:4)
Jesus our good Shepherd restores our souls, often not in the mountain top but in the deep valley! Our loving Father, through Jesus Christ shelters us in His loving arms when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Therefore we will fear no evil because he walks with us. (Psalm 23:4). Let us always dwell in the shelter of the Most High and in the shadow of the Almighty declaring like the psalmist – my God in whom I trust. (Psalm 91:1-2)
