“For this God is our God forever and ever.  He will be our Guide even unto death.”

Psalm 48:14

No longer do we need to fear what “lies beyond” when the One Who’s been there has returned and now says “Follow Me.”

Death.

The mere mention of the word sends chills up many folks’ spines.  That’s why there’s such an aversion to funeral homes and cemeteries and even regular visits to a doctor’s office can send one’s blood pressure upward to unhealthy levels.

Why is that, Pilgrim?

It’s because Death is a journey into the “Great Unknown.”  It’s the cessation of life as we know it here on earth.  And, it’s that fear of “crossing over the Vale” to “the other side” that unnerves so many, leaving them unable to enjoy life because of their fear of death.

But, today’s Manna reminds us of a wonderful Truth that received its exclamation point hundreds of years later when Jesus rose up from the dead, crying “I Am the Resurrection and the Life.  He that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.  And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die” (Jn. 11:25-26).  Hallelujah!!

Now, we know that death is a part of life here in this sinful, fallen world of ours.

Ever since Adam and Eve bit into that forbidden fruit, our days here on earth have been numbered (Rom. 3:23; 6:23a; Heb. 9:27; James 4:13-15; Ps. 90:12).

Yet, into this dark, despairing environment the Savior came.

And, He willingly took on the devil and Death.

Just when it seemed the hosts of hell had won the victory, the stone on that borrowed, garden tomb began to roll away.  And, out stepped “The Resurrection and the Life”. . .the “First-fruits of them that slept” (I Cor. 15:20). . .Who pointed His Finger at Death and said “Your days are numbered!  One of these days I’m going to put My Foot on your neck as a sign of the Ultimate Victory and you’ll trouble My People no more” (I Cor. 15:25-26).

And, won’t that be a wonderful Day, dear Pilgrim?

Most assuredly it will.  Hallelujah!!

Yes, that anticipation is what caused Paul to write “Oh death, where is your sting?  O grave, where is your victory?” (I Cor. 15:55).  It’s knowing that Jesus, our Risen Lord, is “the Forerunner for us within the Veil of the Heavenly Holy of Holies” (Heb. 6:19b-20a) and is “even now making intercession for us” (Heb. 7:24-25; Rom. 8:26) that enables us to sing “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.  Because He lives, all fear is gone.  Because I know He holds the future, life’s now worth the living—just because He lives!”  Glory!!

When the anonymous psalmist penned today’s Manna, he lacked the vision of Heaven and “a Place prepared” that we saints now have (Jn. 14:1-3).  But, he still knew the same One Who guided him through life would also be “his Guide even unto death”—and so should we, Pilgrim, especially when that Guide has nail-scars in His Hands.  Why not stop and thank Him right now?

By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dted October 23, 2010