SCRIPTURE: Psalm 16
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” [John 11:25-26]
Jesus knows what death is, but He also knows a power greater than death.
He knows that with God’s help, He will overcome death, and will restore life for all.
In the midst of grief and sorrow, He offers hope and joy.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. [Psalm 16:9-10]
It’s not that people who trust God or believe in Jesus do not die.
The one who believes in me will live, even though they die… [John 11:26]
But they know that death is but a step along the path of life, and that God will provide a way through death to life, life with God forever and ever.
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. [Psalm 16:11]
Whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” [John 11:26]
David wrote the words of this Psalm knowing full well that he would die, and yet his hope in God helped him see a path beyond death.
In Acts 2, on the Day of Pentecost, Peter quotes Psalm 16, and then he says…
“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. [Acts 2:29-31]
David faced death, but he hoped for life… he believed God!
Whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” [John 11:26]
With this kind of hope, we ought to be able to reflect the hope and joy that David and Jesus did, even in the face of death.
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. [Psalm 16:11]
PRAYER:
Lord, do I believe this? Do I live with this hope? Do people sense in me that I am animated with hope and joy because nothing, not even death, can separate me from Your love?