Victory!

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. (John 11:25-26)

For today's devotion, a song:


The lyrics:
Let no one caught in sin remain
Inside the lie of inward shame
We fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to Him who showed great love

And bled for us
Freely You've bled for us

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with Him again
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave

Beneath the weight of all our sin
You bowed to none but heaven's will
No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown
No burden great can hold You down

In strength You reign
Forever let Your church proclaim

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with Him again
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave

O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
The glory of God has defeated the night

O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
Our God is not dead, He's alive, He's alive

I first heard this song this past summer when my husband and I spent a week at Lutheran Valley Retreat in Colorado. My husband was the "sherpa" for the week and led Bible studies for the summer staff. Before Bible study time every day, they spent several minutes singing, and this seemed to be one of their favorite songs. It became one of my favorites. There was so much joy in their voices and on their faces as they sang it, and that's what I remember most.

Perhaps this song would be more appropriate for tomorrow, All Saints Day, as we remember our loved ones who have died and woken again because of Christ's victory over death. But it's a victory we share in, even now. We have died in our sins, but because Jesus bled and died for us, we are alive in Him, and we can stand in His light.

Today in your prayers, take some time to celebrate His victory and to praise and thank our Father for the victory and the life He has given us.