The peace of God

John 14:19
“Because I live, you also will live.”

Bill and Gloria Gaither, singers and songwriters, have enriched Christian music for decades, and their song, “Because He Lives” is a personal favorite. According to the couple, they wrote this song when “our country was going through some great turmoil with the height of the drug culture, and the whole ‘God is Dead’ theory was running wild in our country and it was also at the peak of the Vietnam War.” During that time their little son was born, and Bill remembered thinking, “Brother, this is really a poor time to bring a child into the world.” Turning their discouragement into praises, they wrote these words, “…better still the calm assurance that this child can face uncertain days because Christ lives.”

This sounds very much like our country today, doesn’t it, so many decades later? Recently, some have expressed the concern of bringing children into this world because of climate change. Through the ages, there have always been uncertain times, but because God sent His Son, Jesus to die and then to be raised from the dead, we can face whatever tomorrow holds because He lives!

Heavenly Father, what a comfort it is to know that no matter the uncertain days in which we live—days of pain, illness, death, wars, financial difficulties, rebellious children and political turmoil—we can face tomorrow because Christ lives. We can face uncertain times because You are in control and are trustworthy. Thank You that You hold our future in Your hands. Amen.

“Because He Lives”

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died, to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove
My Savior lives.

Chorus:
Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives

How sweet to hold a newborn baby
And feel the pride and joy He gives
But greater still the calm assurance
This child can face uncertain days
Just because He lives.

And then one day I’ll cross the river
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain
And then as death gives way to victory
I’ll see the lights of glory and
I’ll know he lives.

Chorus:
Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives.

~ painting by Kathryn Morris Trotter