Isaac Asimov tells the story of a  rough ocean crossing during which a Mr Jones became terribly seasick. At an especially rough time, a kindly steward patted Jones on the shoulder and said, “I know, sir, that it seems awful. But remember, no man ever died of seasickness.” Mr Jones lifted his green countenance to the steward’s concerned face and replied, “Man, don’t say that! It’s only the wonderful hope of dying that keeps me alive.”

There’s more in Jones’ words than a touch of irony. I hear echoes of Paul’s words to the Philippians. He said that the wonderful hope of dying kept him going (1:21). Yet he wasn’t merely looking for relief from his suffering. Paul’s hope was rooted in Christ who died on the cross for sinners, who rose from the grave that first Easter morning, who was alive in heaven and who would one day take Paul into His presence.

But how did the hope of seeing Christ, either at death or when He returned, keep Paul going? It gave meaning to every moment. It gave him reason to live on behalf of Christ. It gave him incentive to focus on others who needed his encouragement. Paul had come to know Christ as his very life.

Father, thank You for the risen Christ—our reason for living.

Author

Mart DeHaan

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Our Daily Bread