” O death, where is thy sting?–“–1 Cor. 15:55

Donald Barnhouse was the pastor of Philadelphia’s Tenth Presbyterian Church when his wife died and left him with young daughters to raise alone. He conducted his own wife’s funeral. While driving to that funeral, he realized that he had to say something to his girls to somehow put in perspective for them something with which he himself was already struggling.

They stopped at a traffic light. It was a bright day, and the sun was streaming into the car. A truck pulled up next to them and its shadow darkened the inside of the car. Barnhouse turned to his daughters and asked, “Would you rather be hit by the shadow or by the truck?”

One of them responded, “Oh, Daddy, that’s a silly question! The shadow can’t hurt you. I’d rather be hit by a shadow than by a truck.”

Then he explained that their mother had died and that it was as if she’d been hit by a shadow. It was as if Jesus had stepped in the way in her place, and it was He who’d been hit by the truck.

“Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou my God, shouldst die for me.”

“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”—John 3:15   Several years ago, Johnny Carson asked a guest,”Would you rather go back into history or forward into the future?”   The guest said she would rather go back into history.   Carson replied,”I’d like to go ahead 500 years and see where we’ve been.”   That’s interesting, but here’s something even more so—we believers will still be around 500 years from now, and much longer than that! We have eternal life! As Christians we are destined for eternity. We are not going to life, we already have everlasting life. Why do we keep acting as though our funeral will be the end of it all?   That glorious fact ought to change how we view everything. Death will indeed end some things, but it doesn’t end us. Carson said he would like to go ahead 500 years “and see where we’ve been.” Well someday we will look back and see where we’ve been and all the mysteries will be solved. As the old song says,”We’ll understand it better bye and bye.” Seeing that is true, should we not then live for those things that are of eternal value? Every kind deed will pay eternal dividends—don’t waste your opportunity. If we’re going to be around forever we ought to do something that matters. Today is a good time to start!

After Charles Spurgeon died Joseph Parker became the most famous preacher in England. People came from all over to hear him preach. His advice to young preachers was this–preach to comfort the afflicted and you will never lack for a congregation. Here is an example of what he meant:

Said Dr. Joseph A. Parker: “Some have found fault with me. They say I am old-fashioned and out of date; I am always quoting the Bible; why not turn to science this morning?

“There is a poor widow here who has lost her only son. She wants to know if she will see him again. Science shall give the answer, and I will put the Book away.” So he took the Book and put it on the seat behind. “Will this woman see her son again? Where is he? Does death end all? What has science to say?” Here a long pause. “We are waiting for an answer, the woman is anxious.” Another long pause. “The woman’s heart is breaking. Science must speak. Nothing to say? Then we must take the Book,” and here he reverently replaced it, and with great deliberation opened it and read: “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me … The dead shall arise … for this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. O death, where is thy sting? … I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God.”

Then, closing the Book, and patting it affectionately, he said, “We will stick to the Book!”

“The Bible, like a bank, is most helpful when it is open”

“—he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God–“ –2 Chronicles 26:15-16   There’s an old Greek story of a soldier who was suffering from a painful and deadly disease. His sickness was so serious, the doctors feared that he would soon die. The soldier, however, was a brave man. When going into battle, he was always the first to charge, for he had no fear of dying. Feeling he had nothing to lose, but the pain that tormented him, he courageously confronted the enemy.   Seeing his great bravery, his commander made arrangements for the doctors to treat his disease and he was miraculously healed. But this change brought about another—the soldier no longer displayed courage in battle. Instead, he sought a life of ease and comfort—concerned only about his life and welfare.   The same thing often happens to God’s people. When confronted with great danger or difficult problems they turn to the Lord and find strength, but when all is well they relax and become complacent. Their focus shifts from their duty to their desires. In their prosperity they begin to feel the need to protect and please themselves, rather than engage themselves in the rigors of duty. They become complacent rather than committed and courageous. Now, unknowingly, they are in greater danger than before. Safety is found only in the pathway of duty. Christians are in the greatest danger of their life when they desert their post of duty to pamper and please themselves. The safest place on earth is in the center of God’s will.   Take care of your duty and God will take care of your death

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13   Shortly after trusting Christ as my Savior I discovered this wonderful verse and clung to it like a drowning man clings to a life preserver. I knew from the very beginning that I was weak and could never live as a Christian should without divine help. As I struggled to overcome various sins I quoted this verse over and over again–I still do today!   This glorious truth has helped many others as well. But some folks have misunderstood. The assurance that God will give us the strength to do His will does not mean it will be quick or easy or fun. Often times the path to victory is through blood, sweat and tears. Don’t assume that, because you are struggling, God isn’t helping you. Sometimes the difficulty is by divine design. God could make it easier, but He doesn’t. Here’s why—you are working on one thing God is working on two, your problem and you! God uses the process to develop your character, conforming you to the image of His dear Son. He knows “easy” isn’t always best.   Sometimes God delays the answer to our prayers and withholds His help because He knows we need the struggle. We long for a quick and easy way out, but God knows we need the opposite. Just as you cannot liberate the butterfly from the cocoon without killing it, we need the struggle to make us strong. Do not be discouraged when your efforts seem futile. Regardless of what you are going through, God is able to meet your need. He brought you to it and He will bring you through it. If you live in the sunshine of His bright promise it will help you to have hope when all seems doom and gloom. Claim it today!