Calm Assurance Because He Lives

In church this past Easter Sunday we sang the Gaither classic, “Because He Lives.” As I sat there holding my daughter and singing the song, the second verse really impacted me:

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He lives!

I’m sure every parent can relate to fearing what the future holds for their children. Working for AiG puts me on the front lines every day dealing with attacks on the truth of God’s Word from both outside and inside the church. I often think to myself that if things are this bad now, what will they be like when Elizabeth is an adult, and what does the future hold for my grandchildren?

But then I sing a song like this and remember Philippians 4:6–7.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

This command and promise in Philippians is unlike the world—it never changes! The same Scriptures that I hold dear will be the same Scriptures that can bring comfort and encouragement to my daughter and my grandchildren. We can have peace and no worry because Christ lives! And though we know the world is going to keep getting worse and worse we are not without hope as stated so boldly by Habakkuk:

Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.
(Habakkuk 3:17–19, NKJV)

Praise God for “yet”! Our joy is in God, not in the material things the world offers—not in treasure on earth that can be destroyed (Matthew 6:19), but in the God of our salvation.