The Death of Death

Tonight I teared up as I read this post. It is by Clint Archer, a pastor in Durban, South Africa- a country very dear to my heart. He shares the story of a wreck that killed 24 people 10 miles from him. I am familiar with the crazy habits of taxis who cram 15-20 people into them. In this wreck a truck's breaks didn't work and it demolished a taxi full of unsuspecting people. Archer also shares two videos of the wreck. I watched them more than once, stunned by how quickly a life can end. We don't ever think that will be us. If I am honest with myself, I picture a long life ahead of me, and then I die in my sleep at 90-something. But we are not guaranteed that, nor does Christ ever hint that that is the goal in life.

Pastor Archer points out that it is good to sometimes dwell on the inescapability of death, quoting Ecclesiastes 7:2-4. He is right. We all need to remember that death can come at anytime. It will spur us on to live our lives to the fullest now. It will also fill us with an urgency to share the gospel with our the unbelievers around us right now! Let us not forget, the time is short!

As I let the shortness of life spur me on to good works, I also am meditating on the truth that once and for all Christ has defeated death.

Isaiah 25:8-9

He will swallow up death for all time,

And the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces,

And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth;

For the Lord has spoken.

9 

And it will be said in that day,

“Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us.

This is the Lord for whom we have waited;

Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”

Praise God for undeserved salvation! Praise God that we can look forward to eternity with Him! Praise God that death has lost its sting and sin has lost its power!