Life instead of Death

With all the carnage last weekend and all over the news, about the tragic shootings in the quiet and friendly province of Nova Scotia, it has been difficult to think of anything else. It is inconceivable that in our peacekeeping country, so many innocent people were brutally killed at the hand of a criminally evil, most likely, demonized man, and all while people are already suffering from having to stay home and socially isolate. Family and friends cannot even console themselves or have a proper memorial service.

As I’ve been thinking about this heartbreaking situation, and these many grieving people left behind in Nova Scotia and beyond, and also the investigators and RCMP having to do this gruesome job, I have been praying for help and comfort for them. I believe prayer is the only answer, and God can and will stand beside and help those in trouble or in pain when we ask.

Psa 34:18  The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Some may say, “Well, isn’t it a little too late now? Where was God when all this happened, and why wouldn’t He stop this crazed shooter sooner?” We may question God when we don’t understand why He would allow such carnage. And yet, the question also arises: If God had warned of this impending disaster, was anyone listening and preparing for it and warning others? Did people regularly pray over their entire neighbourhood, town and territory? This is something, as Bible-believers, that we all need to be doing. I know this doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen, but there is great power and safety when you’re under a faith-filled prayer cover, at least I have found that to be true! The same can be asked of the COVID-19 pandemic. Was anyone listening and paying attention to the way the world had slidden so far off track from the God who created us and all things for HIS purposes and pleasure? God speaks to us all the time, I believe. But perhaps more likely, we aren’t or haven’t been listening or paying attention.

Today I believe God showed me something extremely important about all that is going on. All I have seen on my notifications from the media has to do with death. How many people have died from COVID-19, and how many people they actually predict will die from it (how depressing is that?), and how many bodies have been discovered in Nova Scotia. Now, I am not in any way trying to brush off the seriousness of what is happening and what has happened, but it’s important also to re-focus on a beneficial truth. And this is what God showed me, and it has to do with life.

1Co 15:53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

1Co 15:54  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

1Co 15:55  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

1Co 15:56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

1Co 15:57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

For believers in Jesus as the Son of God, there is victory over death! When Jesus died and rose again, He conquered death for us! No one else could do that. This means that, according to verse 57 and 58, we have absolutely nothing to dread. In fact, there’s no need to allow all this negative news to get us down. Pray for those who are grieving, and help wherever we can.  This is all part of abounding in the work of the Lord!  Do not be shaken by the world’s negative stream of news these days.  Instead, live that victorious life we have been called into. When we give our lives to Jesus, we discover not just a new life, but a life-changing life. We are free! We are forgiven! We feel loved unconditionally perhaps for the first time ever! We experience a cleansing truth, and we welcome each precious revelation from the trusted Word of God! And there’s much much more. We choose life and life eternal rather than a life that leads to death and eternal separation from God. We choose relationship with God, and are done with dead religious practices.

If you are reading this, and you do not yet believe in Jesus Christ, or if you haven’t accepted His free gift of salvation for you, I’d like to offer you an opportunity. Please go this link, and follow the simple steps that will change your life in a wonderful way, and guarantee your place in God’s heaven.