The power of God to bring all of life into being is amazing. (Genesis 1) The design relative to all of it is a certain sign of the wisdom of God and not some mere cosmic accident bringing it forth. Even where life seems to have vanished, it is amazing how it returns. Living in the region of Mount Saint Helens when she erupted in 1980, I saw the landscape destroyed by the blast and the mudflow which followed. However, I also have seen where plant life returned to once again thrive to seemingly heal that landscape. I also remember when my father placed a small branch from an elm tree in the garden to be used as a stake and it eventually took root and began to bud and grow.
All of this came to mind as my morning reading included several chapters in Job along with 1 Corinthians 15 and I was struck by how the thoughts of those passages fit well together. I was actually very glad to have read them the same morning because of the question Job asked and the unmistakable answer Paul provided.
Following the chastisement of Zophar, in part of Job’s response we read. . .
“(7) For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. (8) Though its root grow old in the earth, and its stump die in the soil, (9) yet at the scent of water it will bud and put out branches like a young plant. (10) But a man dies and is laid low; man breathes his last, and where is he?” (Job 14:7-10 ESV)
Yes, what an amazing creation God has made. What resilience we see in it. But what about the death of humanity? Job went on to ask. . .
“(14) If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my service I would wait, till my renewal should come.” (Job 14:14 ESV)
Though humanity may be resilient in many respects, death comes. The body does not last forever. However, as Paul affirmed, that is not the end. Noting the hope we have in Christ he stated. . .
“(50) I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. (51) Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. (53) For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. (54) When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (55) “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (56) The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:50-57 ESV)
Though this creation will someday be destroyed (i.e. 2 Peter 3:10-13), God has provided the means in Christ for a rising into a glorious eternity with Him. There is a resilience of the soul that God has provided beyond physical death. Since our life will not end, may we live prepared for the eternity our Lord went to prepare for us!
Have a great day KNOWING OUR LIFE GOES ON!
Carl
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(“teEn-MAIL” is sent out daily by Carl Hanson, preacher for the Church of Christ in Port Townsend, Washington, USA, located at 230 A Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Come visit us if in the area.)
