Death that is not Dying

In the last week or so, death has become a regular visitor to our days. Dear friends losing their wives, mothers, children and others at times has seemed an unbearable weight of sorrow for those left behind. The mom and dad who had their little three year old die in their arms, the husband and father of four little ones watch his wife bravely fight to the end of a battle with cancer, an old friend lost his wife to inexplicable causes, and the list goes on.

But we have hope! And so many times in the last two weeks I have been reminded of the following passage that I memorized years ago with a friend as we took after-work walks around Pasadena.

1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance that in undefiled and imperishable and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed at the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen him, you love Him, and although you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

1 Cor 15:55
Oh death, where is your victory? Oh death, where is your sting?

Those, of course, are rhetorical questions. And two of my favorite ones! For our dear friends whose hope was in the Lord, they have received their prize and victory in glory. Their death was not dying.