Jesus’ victory over the grave

I praise you, Lord, because you have saved me
and kept my enemies from gloating over me.
I cried to you for help, O LORD my God,
and you healed me;
you kept me from the grave.
I was on my way to the depths below,
but you restored my life.
(verses 1-3)

Read Psalm 30

Have you ever been so sick that you’ve felt as if you were being dragged down into the depths, body and soul? If you have, you will know that disease or depression or injury can sap the life from you and make you feel as if the power of death is unbeatable, as if the grave will have the final victory.

When Jesus was crucified it seemed as if the powers of death had smothered him. It seemed as if there would be no hope for him beyond the grave. But on the third day Jesus rose from the dead. In his resurrection he triumphed over the power of sin, death and the devil, and he lives to lead you in his victory march over all the powers of evil.

Praise God! He will not leave you to suffer the unending consequences of sin and death. He will hear you when you cry to him and will lead you through death to life with him.

Lord Jesus, thank you for your victory over sin and death and the power of Satan. Please keep me in your care throughout my life and through death, so that I may always live with you. Amen.

by Fraser Pearce, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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