A Word from God's Word

A Word from God’s Word

“But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me.” Psalm 49:15

In recent days, I had the very sad but wonderful privilege of performing the funeral service for a friend, a dear brother in Christ. I use those words most deliberately. Obviously, it was a tremendously sad occasion because we were saying goodbye to a friend, to someone dear to us. But it was also a wonderful privilege because I could speak of, and we could reflect upon, the certainty of our friend's entry into his eternal, heavenly home.

The apostle Paul tells us in I Thessalonians 4 that as believers we are not to “grieve as others do who have no hope”. Rather, the believer has hope in the face of death and that hope comes from the truth of Psalm 49:15 above, “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me.”

There is very much a “power” that the grave possesses, for we understand that death is certain for each one of us (unless the Lord should return first). But God’s power is greater, and the power of His salvation through the gospel of Christ is greater, such that the psalmist can say with confidence, “God will redeem my soul”. The price of my redemption was paid by Christ on the cross, and the power of God that raised Christ from the dead will also raise each one who trusts in Him. And thus, those like my friend who are in Christ by faith can say with full assurance, “He shall receive me”.

Pastor Craig Montgomery, Cranbrook Fellowship Baptist

www.cranbrookfellowshipbaptist.ca  YouTube sermon channel: “Pastor Craig Montgomery”