Death Is Swallowed Up in Victory!

The phone rang today. It was dad. He handed the phone over to my mom—which he often does, so I didn't think anything unusual. But then she said dad has cancer. My heart sank. I don't know how to process it exactly. 

Dad was is good spirits in spite of it. He used the cancer diagnosis as a witnessing opportunity to tell his doctor (a Mormon) that he is sure of his eternal destiny.  It reminds me of what the apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" 

Unlike many people, dad has assurance of his salvation. And that's also my consolation as well. Knowing that whatever happens, our eternal destiny is secure and sure. Praise the Lord! 

God has blessed my dad with a long life—he just turned 81 (cf. Psa. 90:10)—but of course I still want to see him healed. Whatever happens, God is still in control. And He is still good. 

As Christians, we need not fear death. To us, death is:

1. A shadow that cannot hurt us!
   (Psalm 23:4)
   
   
2. A step into the arms of Jesus! 
   (Phil. 1:21-23; 2 Cor. 5:8)
   
   
3. A servant ushering us into the presence of God!
   (1 Cor. 3:21-22)
   
   
4. A slain foe!
   (1 Cor. 15:54-55; 2 Tim. 1:10; Heb. 2:14-15)

As we continued talking, I suggested a natural supplement to my dad that might help with his cancer. He thanked me but said, "Right now I'm under doctor's care." After I got off the phone, I thought to myself how true that is! My dad is in the hands of the Great Physician, Jesus Christ! And the wonderful truth is, that's the secure reality for every single believer (see Jn. 10:28). What's more, we're also in the loving hands of our gracious heavenly Father (see Jn. 10:29). Therefore "whether we live or die, we are the Lord's" (Rom. 14:8).