Through tears I verbally expressed the agonizing grief that held its grip on me. An internal war was raging, and I needed a friend to hear. She not only heard me “spill my guts,” (which is what it feels like at times when the grief is so intense) but she also asked to pray. How sweet are the prayers of a friend! There is no better pick-me-up; A soothing balm of relief to have someone hear and acknowledge your pain. It provided a hydrating effect refreshing my soul and determination to continue my race (1 Corinthians 9:24).

That day, God was not silent! Not only did my friend bring much needed encouragement but that evening He strategically placed in my devotional book the Scripture and insight from the author, Paul David Tripp, that would further minister to my heart much like my friend’s prayer earlier in the day.

Sin, Suffering, and death are doomed! No power can compare with resurrection power, which God alone holds—Death brings immense pain because of the finality of it—It leaves one feeling helpless—Because sin ushered death into our world, and because death is the inescapable end that every living thing eventually faces, God’s power to raise the dead is the ultimate victorious comfort to his people. The power to raise the dead is the platform on which everything we believe rests. Sin will not have the final say—The story does not end in the unmoving stillness of death. Life will triumph over death—This is the plan of God—Death will die, and the children of God will live forever with the Lord of life, dwelling in his presence and basking in his glory. The ending to the greatest story ever imagined. – Paul David Tripp, Everyday Gospel, April 21

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you. . . even we ourselves groan within ourselves waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren” (Romans 8:11, 23b, 29, NASB).

With our Lord we will rise and breathe in the perfect air of the new heavens and the new earth, never again to shed death’s tears. – Tripp, Everyday Gospel, April 21

And while my circumstances have not changed, my heart has been reminded of the freedom that Christ has secured and I can trust the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Creator and Sustainer of everything. Nothing escapes His notice (Hebrews 4:13; Psalm 139:7-12). Never again will sin have the final say – “Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace” (Romans 6:14).