Our Scripture meditation is based on Isaiah 25:6-8, the start of next week’s Old Testament reading.
[6] On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. [7] And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. [8] He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.
Nothing in life draws forth more intense emotions than death.
Our deepest feelings well up at the death of a loved one, a close friend, a role model. These emotions are not only stirred by our loss, but by the fact that death even exists.
Knowing this pain in our souls, our Lord provides hope. As Jesus told Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, [26] and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. (John 11:25-26a)
Knowing the depth of the pain in our souls, God delivers us hope upon hope, that death will die. As is written in verse 8 of today’s Scripture passage: “[8] He will swallow up death forever.”
When death is destroyed, “the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces.” (v.8) Those will be the final tears ever shed, because there will be no death in the new heavens and new earth.
Until next week, the Lord bless and guide.
Kevin Wilson 360 