When Jesus died, He broke the curse of sin and death’s eternal hold. Despite this, there are some Christians who are irrationally afraid of death. Death is inevitable– sickness comes, we die; old age comes, we die; an accident comes, we die. Death happens, but it is not a pleasant subject to discuss!
When I remember the nail-scarred hands of my Savior, I cannot help but mingle the thought of death with love and a future. The same hands that were pierced on the cross are the same loving hands that guide people from birth to death and from death to life.
Here are some beautiful whispers from the Bible concerning our life journey from the womb to the tomb:
My life’s beginning: in His hands
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand–when I awake, I am still with you. Psalm 139: 13-18
Reflection: The hands of God have knit my very body, knowing my sinews, my joints, my bones. I have been fashioned intricately and well. I am no stranger to Him. Each day of my life has already been planned for, written down in His book. I have nothing to be afraid of. My thoughts? He knows. My next step? He knows. Since God’s very hands have woven me to existence, then I can rest securely in them.
My life’s journey: in His hands
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)
“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.” Psalm 73:23-24
Reflection: No matter what I go through, I have a God who upholds me. There is nothing to be afraid of. I have a God who strengthens me and helps me and gives me counsel. When the Lord’s right hand upholds my right hand, the position of right hand to right hand can only mean one thing: He is facing me. His eye is on me. Therefore, I shall know His gaze, eye to eye.
And when I tire because of hard, heavy days, I shall remember that “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31)
My life’s ending: in His hands
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.” Psalm 116:15
“In his [God’s] hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:10
Reflection: When I consider the Lord’s goodness and love toward me every day of my life, then even the last day of my life will be a good day full of love. In the Lord’s hands are my life and my breath. The same hands that were nailed to the cross cradles me when it is time to take me home. He carries me carefully into the next phase of life to where I can see Him face to face. My death is as precious to God as my birth.
No matter what kind of death we will die, the end will always bring us to this question: Are we ready to see our Lord face to face? Do we know of Him? Eternal life is not simply unending days. John 17:3 says this: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
May every day of our lives ripple into eternity as we know God more and more. From our first day of breath till our last, we can rest securely in His hands of love.
Janina Marie Rivera is the Editor-in-Chief of One Voice Magazine, a teacher of world literature, and a student of the Bible. She enjoys reflecting on life’s curve balls and plateaus. She resides in the Philippines, the country known for people who smile a lot.
