Through the Valley

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). Matthew 27:46

Praise God that Jesus passed through the valley of the shadow of death for us! And for him it was gloomier than it could possibly be for any human being. He felt abandoned even by God, and yet in his forsakenness he was still able to cry out, “My God! My God!”

What Then of Death?

This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:9–10
 
Through Christ death is robbed of its power and we will arise from death through him at his appointed time. It says: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Cor. 15:55).

The Love of God

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38–39

Paul writes that absolutely nothing, whether it be sad, shaking, or puzzling, should cause us to doubt God’s love. God’s love is firm as a rock and unshakable. Absolutely nothing can separate us from God’s love.

Getting Weaker

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 2 Corinthians 5:6–9

Facing Eternity

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16 – 18