From Invincible to Inevitable

Daily Reading: Romans 7

Scripture Focus:  Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!(Romans 7.24-25)

Devotional Thought: After the Affordable Care Act passed, Michelle Obama called young people “knuckleheads” because they think they are invincible.  They don’t need health insurance because they won’t get sick!  And they never think about aging.  I remember thinking how I'm not a “knucklehead!”  Every day I am reminded of my accelerated march through life – from the invincible to the inevitable.  My body is not as strong, my mind is not as sharp, and there are more years behind me than in front of me.  But, something else is happening, too.  As I complete more of this journey, I find that I trust and hope in Jesus Christ more!  I think about heaven more.  One day Jesus will deliver me from this body of death!

When we reach heaven, God rescues us from illness, aging and decay.  Due to the effects of sin, the whole creation has been in bondage to death (See Romans 8).  Death comes in various ways: aging, disease, accidents, malice, even “natural causes.”  But, death is not natural for us.  It is not God’s creative intention.  God has made us for life, and in the resurrection of Jesus Christ we all will live!  Abiding in him – as the branches abide in the vine – we are rescued from death.  Thanks be to God!

Wherever you are in that spectrum from invincible to inevitable, may your physical limitations, sickness, and progress toward death remind you that you have a Rescuer who came back from the dead: Jesus Christ!  Abide in him.  Sin and its ally, death, are not your masters.  You have been delivered by Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for delivering me from this body of death.  Because you live, I too shall live.  I rest in you.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 27.1-6

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.

3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.

4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.

5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.

6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.