Running to the Refuge {Day 14}: Refuge from Death

This is day 14 in a month-long series.  Please click here for links to previous posts.

When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,

but even in death the righteous have a refuge.

Proverbs 14:32

Even in death the righteous have a refuge?  What does that mean?  Did you know that the Bible teaches that the end of our physical lives does not have to be the end?  Even in death, we have a refuge.  In fact, God is a refuge from death, because He is the giver of life.

Scripture teaches that we are all sinners, separated from God.  It is our sin that keeps us from relationship with our holy Creator.  The punishment for sin is awful:

For the wages of sin is death,

Romans 6:23a

But wait a minute.  Don't we all die?  Isn't that just about the only thing we can be sure of in this life?  Correct.  But the Bible tells the rest of the story.  There is a refuge from death!  Physical death, toil, pain, and tears became part of human experience when Eve and Adam ate the forbidden fruit.  God cursed them and their offspring.  We are born in sin ...

but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:32b

God made a promise in the curses.

He promised that one day the serpent's head would be crushed by a heel he would strike.  Jesus, the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior of the world, would come and drink the cup of the wrath, becoming a mediator between God and man.  Death would no longer have the final say, because the Light of Life would triumph over it.

Jesus came.  He lived.  He was crucified, died, and was buried.  And on the third day, HE ROSE AGAIN FROM THE DEAD!

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

We have a refuge, even from death.  We can embrace Life now, so that we can know life forever.  For Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.

I am so thankful that my "end" will be a new beginning in the presence of the Lord.  I am so thankful for these earth-roaming years to get to know Him through the Word.  I am so thankful that He is my refuge not only from the trials and tribulations of this life, but also a refuge from  the sting true death, eternal separation from Him.  In Christ, God holds out the gift of eternal life to you and me.  All we need to do is run to that refuge.

Running Orders:

• Do you know the Lord as your refuge from death?  If you do, is eternity with Him something you think about much?  Praise God that even in death you have a refuge!  If you do not know this refuge, would you like to?  Please get in touch with me asap to pray together!

• Read and meditate on the story of Jesus talking with Nicodemus about being born again.  Think about the difference this has and can make in your life.  Rejoice that God has made this possible through Christ!  Be amazed; it is amazing!!  We have refuge, even from death.