When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Have you ever had the tables turned on you?

I once heard about a mother and father who raised their daughter with absolute confidence in psychology.

That means, when it came time for bedtime they would say something like, "Would you like to take your doll to bed with you, or would you like to take your teddy bear?"

They were very pleased with this line of thinking. No matter what decision the child made, she was going to bed. But children are the best of psychologists and their little girl learned quickly. It didn't take too long before their three-year-old darling turned the table on mom and dad. Knowing the house rule that said she didn't go outside after supper, one evening she approached her parents and asked, "Do you want me to go out the back door or should I go out the front?"

Centuries ago, the Lord Jesus turned the tables.

Because of sin, all of humanity had been condemned to die forever. Since no one had been able to break the pattern of sin and death, there seemed to be no hope. That's the way it would have stayed if Jesus had not come. But the Son of God did come and because He lived His life without sin, because He fulfilled every Law, because He died on Calvary's cross, and because He rose on the third day, the tables were turned.

With Jesus' resurrection the last of our enemies is defeated. Because Christ is risen no longer is death unconquerable. Now, because of Jesus, believers know we shall also live with Him forever.

And that, my friends, is a table that sin, death, and devil can never turn over again. I pray you celebrate the resurrection of the Savior who has saved you.


From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"



THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, You turned the tables. Your life, death, and resurrection freed us from the condemnation of eternal death. With joy, I praise Your Name and gladly say: "Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed." Amen.


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In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Joshua 19-21    Luke 11:29-54

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