Mr. Tim Snyder

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There is no guarantee that you and your family will not face trouble in this life. In fact, it’s pretty certain that at some point you will face hardship of one sort or another. It has been this way ever since sin came into the world.

Life Offers No Lasting Security

There is no guarantee that your family won’t run into financial hardship. It wouldn’t be a surprise if you, dear reader, have fallen victim to this challenging economy. At times your cupboard has been bare. Perhaps your clothing is showing wear and tear as you squeeze additional service out of it. For some, homes have been lost. For others, retirement may not be happening as soon as originally planned.

There is no guarantee that your family won’t face difficult health issues. Many of us have seen loved ones stricken with a devastating illness. Or it may be that you are the one who suffers. Serious illness can lead to difficult decisions. At times it feels as if our prayers fall on deaf ears as we struggle to make sense of the suffering.

There is no guarantee that your family will not be persecuted because you are followers of Christ. Your children are ridiculed for rejecting the evolution that’s taught in their classrooms. Neighbors and co-workers ostracize you because you are a Christian. Even family members turn on us. Being in the world – but not of the world – is a test of faith.

There is no guarantee that your family won’t be touched by a terrible accident or natural disaster. Today’s headline is a graphic reminder. At least six people lost their lives as a result of tornados that cut a swathe of destruction across our nation’s midsection.

There is no guarantee that your family won’t have to deal with the loss of loved ones. Indeed, death comes to all of us as a result of sin. We do not grieve as those who have no hope, but we still experience the pain of loss. If anything is guaranteed, it’s the fact that grief and sorrow are an unavoidable part of life.

God Provides Guaranteed Security

With trials come the worry and anxiety that threaten to undermine faith. Surely faith would crumble if we were left to deal with it on our own.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? (Romans 8:35)

In his response, the inspired writer assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ – not things of this earth, not supernatural things, not even death.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

But How Can We Be Sure?

Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (Romans 8:34)

In our Savior’s resurrection, we have an ironclad guarantee that nothing will separate us from Him. The resurrection provides absolute assurance that Jesus’ redemptive work on our behalf was a success.

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)

Our substitute had to be a true man, but a mere man couldn’t pay for the sins of all people for all time. The empty tomb gives clear testimony that the man who died on Calvary’s cross was also true God. It was the God-man, Jesus Christ, whose perfect sacrifice had the infinite value needed to effect our salvation. The prophecy has been fulfilled:

“He will swallow up death forever” (Isaiah 25:8).

Sealed by the Resurrection

The resurrection guarantees comfort for your family. No matter what troubles and hardships may come there is the assurance that God works all things for your good. Not even death can separate us from His love. The ultimate good is accomplished when God uses death to call His child home. We are confident that in Christ all will be made alive. Our lives reflect our resurrection confidence. As restored children of God, our families live to serve Him. It begins at home where we reflect Christ’s love while caring for one another. It extends to others as our words and actions bear witness to God’s great glory. Our prayer is that we become His instruments in bringing others to Him. We want everyone around us to share in our resurrection joy.

In this life, our families will continue to deal with hardship and trouble. That’s guaranteed. Thanks be to God that His Son’s resurrection provides the guarantee that overshadows all others – an ironclad guarantee that we are His for time and for eternity.