God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me. (Psalm 49:15)
This verse summarizes the great hope given to us by the Messiah — the hope of eternal life. Those who incline their ear to hear the Word of the Lord and heed His voice have the promise that physical death is not the end. In sharp contrast to our hope is the ominous fate that awaits those who make power and riches their god. In life, they enjoy the luxuries that accompany wealth, including the praise of men who long for the same. But when death comes for the wicked, they will not be able to carry their wealth and glory with them; it will be left for others to exploit. As the psalmist goes on to say, “They shall never see light” (verse 19). The prophet Daniel wrote that when they emerge from their graves at the time of judgment, it will be to “shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2).
On the other hand, when those who pursue the Kingdom of God and His righteousness are lowered in their graves, they are laid to rest with great expectation. As with the wicked, the righteous dead take no earthly possessions with them either but there is something magnificent that accompanies to the grave — hope. According to the prophet Daniel, when they are awakened from their sleep, it will be to “everlasting life” and they “shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).
Life is hard and its harder still when a person determines to pick up their cross and follow the Messiah — He said as much. Nevertheless, the reward for living a life of self-denial and service to the Creator will be more than any of us can imagine at this point. Those who believe that when you die, that’s it, have nothing to hope for. But when the sons and daughters of God draw our last breath and close our eyes in death, we have the hope and the promise that we will awaken and behold the face of God. And so, as Messiah endured the suffering of the cross “for the joy set before Him,” let us also endure what me must for the Kingdom that we may rest in peace, knowing we will raised in glory.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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