“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” ( Philippians 1:21)
In much of life we are governed by the belief that one must win at someone’s loss. For example, whenever there are General Elections only one Presidential candidate wins. Life as most of us know is about winning and loss.
In the Christian life it is different. As the Apostle Paul once shared with some believers based in the church in Philippi, when we live in this earthly life we are happy for the gift of life; yet, where death comes, still, we count that as victory, for the gift of eternal life. “If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far ( Philippians 1: 22-23).
Paul was not hesitant to point out that life is far much better: “but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” ( vv 24). After all, with life one can accomplish a lot and participate in the joy of building the kingdom. Thus he writes, “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me” ( vv 25- 26).
Life is certainly far more desirable than death.
Yet where there is death, for believers it is but a win-win situation. We win with life; but even in death, we win! No one should of course desire for death ahead of schedule, for, as with Paul, each one of us has a reason and justification for life. But where there is death happens, we too, rejoice, for one is matching to inexpressible glory. “And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel” ( 2 Timothy 2:10).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, even where we see a life lost, how blessed is it to know that because of our faith in your son Jesus Christ, death has been overcome, and we are victorious, weather in life or death, and for this we are thankful, all we pray in Jesus’s name!
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
