YOU GO AROUND TWICE

READ: John 11:17-26

I am the resurrection and the life. – John 11:25

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Romans 1-4

There’s a little trout stream in the state of Oregon called Riley Creek. It was named for “Judge” Riley, a prospector who grubbed for gold there in the 1800s. Though he laboured night and day for 40 years, he never found the fortune he sought.

Early one morning, his partner discovered a rich vein of gold near their campsite. He raced back shouting, “Wake up, Riley! We’re rich!” Riley, however, was unmoved. He had died in his sleep.

Most people live their lives similar to Riley. They work their entire lives searching for a fortune of wealth or happiness, and then die. “So why go on?” we may ask ourselves. Why face an endless sequence of frustrations in a world where everyone sooner or later ends up under the ground? It all seems so futile.

But there’s good news: Jesus died and rose again! His resurrection guarantees that God will bring believers in Christ out of the ground to live forever (John 11:25-26). We don’t go around just once, but twice! This life is not all there is.

That means we can endure hardship here and now. We can live in broken and ruined bodies for a while. We can face loneliness, heartache, and pain for a season. We don’t need to “have it all” in this life. There is another life to come! – David Roper

How glorious to think ahead

Of blessings yet to be,

Of help from God while life shall last –

Then joys eternally! – Branon

You can endure this life’s trials because of the next life’s joys.