Because He Lives

I pray that you may understand more clearly. Then you will know the hope God has chosen you to receive. You will know that what God will give his holy people is rich and glorious. And you will know God’s great power. It can’t be compared with anything else. His power works for us who believe. It is the same mighty strength.

Ephesians 1:18-19 (NIRV)

Hope is the feeling of expectation. Just like the air we breathe and the food we eat, it is necessary for life. Statistics tell us that we can live 3 weeks without food, and we can live 3 days without water. We can even live 3 seconds without air to breathe. BUT we can’t even live 1 second without hope. Christ came, died and rose again to give us hope.

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13

When I was a young child, my mother was in charge of a youth singing group. One of the songs they sang was Because He Lives, I Can Face Tomorrow. It was and has remained one of my favorite songs. A song that wells up inside me when things are hard. A song that sets my mind on Christ and brings hope for what I face or for what the future brings. Celebrating Christ’s resurrection at Easter is a fitting time to dive into the words of this song by Bill and Gloria Gaither. A time to reflect on their meaning and a time to sing of His power. As you read this month’s devotion, we will do just that. So, make this your theme song. If you haven’t heard it, look it up, put it on your playlist. Sing it often. Here are the words:

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus; He came to love, heal and forgive; He lived and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives! Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone, Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives! How sweet to hold a newborn baby, And feel the pride and joy he brings; But greater still the calm assurance, This child can face uncertain days because He Lives! And then one day, I'll cross the river, I'll fight life's final war with pain; And then, as death gives way to victory, I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives! Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!

Pastor Julia Scott