Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me
[He that fears the Lord] shall abide before God forever. Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him! (Ps. 61:7)
Those who fear the name of the Lord will triumph in life—that which is short, and in death—that which is long. They shall live forever with God. To fear the Lord is to hate, to despise, to detest evil, pride and arrogance . . . (Prov. 8:13). God’s Word exhorts His people to cast off—or reject—corruption, perversion, and anything else that is contrary to His Word. He wants His children to live a life congruent with His Word, a life in harmony with His Spirit. Such a life ends—or begins—at the marriage supper of the Lamb, a victorious homecoming for the child of Almighty God. A life that lasts throughout eternity where all are praising God and enjoy fellowship with the heavenly hosts.
“Oh, but how can I ever live such a life? I am so far from this ideal. Whatever I hear, whoever I encounter, wherever I go, evil, pride and arrogance abound, giving me every reason to tumble into a world apart from God and His Word. “ We live in a fallen world. Consider the immoral Mary, the despised tax collector Matthew, and the serial killer Paul. Their lives, their friends, their world was consumed with evil. Yet God, in His compassion and lovingkindness, changed the course of their lives when they set their mind to abide in Him. God can change the course of our life too. In fact, He longs to forgive us when we make even the smallest effort to conform our words and thoughts to His Word and His ways. When we do, He keeps us from destruction and decay, promising a life everlasting. One day we will take up permanent residence with Him in heaven.
Are you surrounded by evil? Are you on that slippery slope leading to destruction and disappointment? If so, there is no better time than now to lay it all out before God. Tell Him you want to follow His Word, but you can’t do it by yourself. You need His mercy and compassion. If you do this, He will extend His mercy, His grace, and His lovingkindness to you, granting you forgiveness, and changing the course of your life. When you desire to abide in Him, you will give Him great joy because you are desiring to unite your earthly soul with His heavenly Spirit. Though you had abandoned Him, you may now be reunited with Him. You can live your life with Jesus. “Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.”