Where O Death Is Your Victory?

The efficiency and speed of today's news has rocked our world.  Families in the United States and in China are devastated by the loss of their children and left to grieve. Nations shake their heads in shock and disbelief at the depth of depravity and despair as children are slaughtered.

In times like this humanity turns to what it is dependent on for answers and comfort.  For some, jumping to advocacy is the first response.  Others are angry and accusatory and more are fearful and defeated.  We pray. Together we grieve and we process and we try to make a difference in any way that we can.

I have to admit that I have ran back and forth along this continuum many times today.  This verse came to mind this evening serving as an iron rod in my spine.  It is a song of victory and triumph. 

 A song that lifts the chin and marches back into life stepping over the debris of my broken heart and feelings of hopelessness.

Death has been defeated. 

“Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:55-57

Matthew Henry states, "Those who remain under the power of death can have no heart to praise; but such conquests and triumphs will certainly tune the tongues of the saints to thankfulness and praise—praise for the victory (it is great and glorious in itself), and for the means whereby it is obtained (it is given of God through Christ Jesus), a victory obtained not by our power, but the power of God; not given because we are worthy, but because Christ is so, and has by dying obtained this conquest for us. 

Must not this circumstance endear the victory to us, and heighten our praise to God? Note, How many springs of joy to the saints and thanksgiving to God are opened by the death and resurrection, the sufferings and conquests, of our Redeemer! 

With what acclamations will saints rising from the dead applaud him! How will the heaven of heavens resound his praises for ever! Thanks be to God will be the burden of their song; and angels will join the chorus, and declare their consent with a loud Amen, Hallelujah."