I Know My Redeemer Lives - Devotion 7 - Monday Morning Devotions
Join us as Pastor Ricky Jacob, serving the Winnebago people in Nebraska, explores the life of Job and the truth of our Risen Lord.
He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.
(Samuel Medley, 1783-1799, abr.)
This the seventh verse of the hymn touches my heart in more ways than one. We often live, especially when we are young as if there will always be a tomorrow. We take God and His blessings for granted. Until, until someone near and dear to us dies.
As I was growing up, at my home church we would sing this hymn each and every Easter Sunday. Jean Grundt would always be there and lead the singing with her beautiful soprano voice. I can also recall having our pastor's son play his trumpet - along with the Easter lilies - I was encouraged by the thrill of knowing that I would conquer death.
This hymn, entitled I Know that My Redeemer lives, was also song at both my mother and years later my father's funerals. These funeral celebrations took place at my home church. My family was blessed to have Jean Grundt there leading the singing.
Samuel Medley, the song's writer, says that Jesus lives my mansion to prepare. It is my understanding that when Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for those who believe in Him did not mean that He would be fluffing up the pillows but the place Jesus went to prepare a place for us was the cross. It was there on the cross that Jesus paid and paved the way for us to live with Him in the new heavens on the new earth!
And now I can live assured that someday, someday soon, He will return and take me safely there. The angels told Jesus' disciples as they watched Jesus ascended into heaven that one day He would return to bring us to paradise, on the new earth in the new heavens.
He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same;
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!
Please pray with me: Almighty God the Father; through Jesus Christ, Your only-begotten Son, our Lord, You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Resurrection of Our Lord - Collect 1