A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

Forty Days (#19940925)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“To whom also He showed Himself alive after His Passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).

It is interesting how often the Scriptures refer to a forty-day period. There are nine different forty-day periods noted in Scripture (the phrase itself occurs seventeen times), and it may be noteworthy that forty days is one-ninth of the original (and prophetic) lunar/solar year of 360 days (note Genesis 7:11; 8:3,4; Revelation 11:2,3). Thus the total of the nine forty-day periods equals the ideal year.

The periods are as follows: [1] the intense rainfall at the flood (Genesis 7:12,17); [2] the first giving of the law (Exodus 24:18; Deuteronomy 9:9,11); [3] the second giving of the law (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:18,25); [4] the searching of Canaan by the fearful spies (Numbers 13:25; 14:34); [5] the defiance of Israel by Goliath (I Samuel 17:16); [6] Elijah’s journey to Horeb (I Kings 19:; [7] Jonah’s reluctant preaching in Nineveh (Jonah 3:4); [8] Christ’s temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2); [9] Christ’s post-resurrection ministry (Acts 1:3).

Each of these periods was a time of great stress and intense testing for one or more of God’s people, except the last. The final forty-day period, encompassing Christ’s ministry to His disciples after His resurrection, was a time of triumph and great blessing. He had come victoriously through the most intense time of stress and testing that anyone could ever experience, and now He could show Himself alive eternally to His disciples and promise them the same victory. Forty days of testing, then forty days of triumph! Even a lifetime of testing is more than balanced by an eternity of blessing. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

And Forty Nights (#19940926)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights” (Genesis 7:12).

There are nine forty-day periods in Scripture, but on only five of these the notation, “and forty nights,” is added. On the other four occasions (the spies in Canaan, Goliath’s challenges, Jonah in Nineveh, and the post-resurrection ministry of Christ) we can assume that the activity ceased at night. But on these five it continued unabated.

The first of these was the great flood. The most intense rains ever experienced on the earth poured torrentially, night and day. One can visualize the stress-filled nights for Noah’s family, with the cries of the dying outside, and no light of the sun or moon to pierce the outer darkness. But, of course, they were all safe in God’s specially designed ark.

Many years later, Moses twice spent forty days and forty nights in the awful presence of God on Mount Sinai, receiving the divinely inscribed tablets, with the Ten Commandments and all the laws of God. The mountain was intermittently quaking and breathing fire and smoke while he was there, and the nights were surely more awesome even than the days, but God was there!

Elijah spent forty days and forty nights traveling back from Beersheba to Sinai, even though this relatively short journey would not normally require forty days. Evidently Elijah experienced great hardships and obstacles along the way and many sleepless nights, but God met him again at Sinai, and it was worth it all.

Finally, the Lord Jesus (God Himself!) was “led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil . . . forty days and forty nights” (Matthew 4:1,2). In weakened human flesh, without food or rest, this was a greater trial than any of the rest, but He was triumphant, and then the “angels came and ministered unto Him” (Matthew 4:11). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Spirit And The Word (#19940927)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His” (Romans 8:9).

As we see in our text, the Holy Spirit indwells every one who is a true believer, a child of God. Each believer is born again through “the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21), “for faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

But the role of the Spirit of God and the word of God in our salvation only begins the Christian’s relationship to them, for we are enjoined to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) in the same sense that a drunkard is filled with and controlled by wine, and to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). These two entities equip us to be effective representatives of Him here on Earth.

Note, however, that in both of these two passages the immediate results of such controlling input are the same. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms [primarily the Old Testament psalms] and hymns [songs of praise directed to God] and spiritual songs [a generic word for song, but here ‘spiritual’ songs], singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19), and “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). A Spirit filled Christian, knowledgeable in the Word, just can’t quit singing!

Nor can he stop “giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20; see also Colossians 3:17).

May we always manifest the work of the Spirit and the knowledge of the word by our thankful hearts and the songs on our lips. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Arrows In The Hand (#19940928)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth” (Psalm 127:4).

This is the central verse in the 101 verses contained in a remarkable group of fifteen psalms called “The songs of degrees” (Psalms 120–134). The central verse in the central psalm of this group is the preceding verse: “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is His reward” (Psalm 127:3). The origin of these psalms and this peculiar superscript has always been uncertain. Four are said to be by David, one by Solomon; the other ten are anonymous.

A reasonable supposition, however, is that they were composed by King Hezekiah, after he had been miraculously healed of a lethal illness. “I will add unto thy days fifteen years,” God had said, and gave Hezekiah a miraculous sign as confirmation, causing the shadow on the sun dial of Ahaz to go “backward ten degrees” (II Kings 20:6,10). In thanksgiving thereof, the king proclaimed, “Therefore we will sing my songs . . . all the days of our life in the house of the LORD” (Isaiah 38:20).

It is significant that the word for “degrees” is the same in both cases. It apparently means “steps” or “ascents.” The shadow miraculously ascended ten steps back up the sun dial after it had gone down, and Hezekiah’s life was miraculously extended 15 years. Perhaps, therefore, “my songs” means the ten songs the king composed in commemoration of the ten degrees. He then added five songs of David to round out the total to 15, corresponding to his added “days of our life.” And right at the center was his great testimony to the blessing of children. He was childless at the time, but he had a son three years later (II Chronicles 33:1) by whom He was able to continue the Messianic line promised to David through Solomon. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Like A Wave Of The Sea (#19940929)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally. . . . But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” (James 1:5,6).

A contrast is set up in these verses between faith and doubt. Jesus taught that “If ye have faith, and doubt [same word as ‘waver’ in our text] not . . . ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matthew 21:21,22).

James explains that a doubter can be compared to ocean waves. Waves (in contrast to the tides which are caused by the gravitational attraction of the moon and sun) are caused by wind which imparts energy to the ocean water which scarcely attenuates until the wave crashes onto the shoreline, perhaps many miles from its original source of energy. A wave cannot stay in one place. It surges onto the shore and recedes backward. It rises up and sinks down. It contains much froth, as well as great energy, which cannot efficiently be harnessed for good, but often does great damage.

What an elegant picture of the doubting, half-believing soul. Willingly receiving onward and upward impulses, he cannot sustain them, quickly sinking to former depths, only to rise again, in an endless cycle, until ultimately dissipating all energy on some rocky shoreline of life. “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:.

In much the same way, Paul urges that we “be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:14,15). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

God Said Every Word (#19940930)
by Connie J. Horn

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Our text verse records Jesus’ answer to the devil’s first temptation in the wilderness, which was prefaced with: “if thou be the Son of God” (Matthew 4:3). Jesus is the Son of God, and He knows the power of His word. “The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:2,3). “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). “And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters . . . and it was so” (Genesis 1:6,7). “And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so” (Genesis 1:9). “And God said, Let the earth bring forth . . . and it was so” (Genesis 1:11). “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night . . . and it was so” (Genesis 1:14,15). “And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly . . . and God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:20,21). “And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature . . . and it was so” (Genesis 1:24). “And God said, Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26).

Jesus answered the devil’s second temptation, also prefaced with, “If thou be the Son of God” (Matthew 4:6), with “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (v.7). Paul warns: “Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents” (I Corinthians 10:9).

At the beginning of His earthly ministry, Jesus established His authority and indicts the rebel Satan with the same word to which He will hold all the world accountable. “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10). CJH

[Soldier4Christ]

A Good Name (#19941001)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth” (Ecclesiastes 7:1).

It seems odd at first that Solomon would link these two maxims together. How is the day of death better than birth, and what has this to do with the value of one’s good name? The great king had once enjoyed a name synonymous with godliness and great wisdom, but his name had eventually become so sullied with the excesses of wealth and fleshly indulgence that he began to long even for death. It is a tragic thing for godly young people to allow their good names to be ruined by careless carnality, thenceforth never to be able to fulfill the promise their lives once seemed to carry. Solomon could employ all the most costly ointments and other comforts to ease his declining years, but they could never redeem his good name. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all” (Proverbs 22:1,2).

The Christian believer has a double incentive to maintain a good name, of course, for his words and deeds inevitably reflect, for good or ill, on the name of Christ as well. When we cause our own names to be damaged, we also (as David did) give “great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme” (II Samuel 12:14), and there are, sadly, many such enemies eagerly watching for us to give them yet another occasion to “blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called” (James 2:7).

In a very real sense, of course, even those who do maintain a good name all their lives can joyfully anticipate the day of death. Christ has promised: “I will write upon him the name of my God . . . and I will write upon him my new name” (Revelation 3:12). That will, indeed, be a “good name” and one we shall enjoy forever! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Christ The King (#19941002)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“But His citizens hated Him, and sent a message after Him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us” (Luke 19:14).

In this parable, the nobleman who had gone into a far country to receive His kingdom is a picture of Christ in the interim between His first and second comings. The “citizens” of His kingdom, however, refuse His Kingship. Nevertheless, He is the King, and when He returns, those “enemies which would not that I should reign over them” (v.27) will be slain. How much better to accept Him now!

The first title ascribed to him was “King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2). Long before that, however, He was King of creation. “For God is the King of all the earth,” “a great King above all gods. . . . The sea is His and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land” (Psalm 47:7; 95:3,5).

He is also King of redemption, providing salvation for the world He created. “For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth” (Psalm 74:12). “(The Father) hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13,14).

He is not only King of all the worlds, but also King of all the ages. He is “my King of old” and also “King for ever” (Psalm 10:16). He is “the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God” (I Timothy 1:17).

He is “King of saints” (Revelation 15:3), the “LORD of hosts, my King, and my God” (Psalm 84:3). Indeed, He is “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (I Timothy 6:15). Therefore, let His citizens say: “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever” (Revelation 5:13). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (#19941003)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear” (Psalm 46:1,2).

Martin Luther, the central figure in the Reformation, was keenly aware of spiritual warfare. His journal entries inform us of his continual battle against evil forces, and that Psalm 46 was a great comfort to him. As he meditated on the words of our text, the thrust of a mighty song was born which openly declared victory in the great battle. We have come to know this song as “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” Let us use its four verses to focus our thoughts on that victory.

A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, And, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.

The battle to be fought is “not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). Satan, along with his henchmen, is an ancient foe, “a roaring lion,” as it were, “seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:. But there is no need for alarm, “the LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge” (Psalm 46:11). He “is our refuge and strength” (text), a bulwark never failing. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (I John 3:.

Only God could accomplish this victory, for Satan is “the prince of this world” (John 14:30), “the prince of the power of the air,” (Ephesians 2:2). No man on Earth is his equal.

But how did the Son of God gain the victory? By taking on Himself “flesh and blood,” and dying a substitutionary death, “that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Right Man On Our Side (#19941004)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he might sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:31,32).

Our Lord warned Peter—Satan wanted him to fall, and fall he would (v.34), but Christ had prayed for him that victory would come. The second verse of Martin Luther’s grand hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” reflects our vulnerable position on our own, and our invincibility on His side.

Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing; Were not the right man on our side, The man of God’s own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus it is He, Lord Sabaoth, His name, From age to age the same. And He must win the battle.

After revealing a list of many thrilling blessings to the child of God, Paul asks: “What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Furthermore, nothing, neither “principalities, nor powers” nor any thing else in all creation is “able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:31,38,39). With Him on our side, Satan cannot win in the battle for our minds or destinies. But if we rely on our own strength, we cannot win.

The term Lord Sabaoth might confuse us, until we recognize that this is not the sabbath, or seventh day. Sabaoth is the Hebrew word for “hosts,” in particular the “host of heaven.” The term Yahweh Sabaoth or Lord Sabaoth occurs some 300 times in the Old Testament, and constitutes a most majestic name for God. “For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall He be called” (Isaiah 54:5). This is none other than “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:.

Christ Jesus—Creator (Colossians 1:16), Sustainer (v.17), Redeemer (v.20). He must win the battle. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

His Doom Is Sure (#19941005)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44).

The third verse of the Reformation hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” focuses on the certain end of Satan. God has willed a mighty triumph through His truth.

And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim—We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him.

When Satan was cast from heaven, fully a third of the angels fell with him (Revelation 12:4), such that a “Legion” of them could inhabit one individual (Mark 5:9). They are evidently everywhere, doing Satan’s bidding, giving him the power to accomplish his malevolent desires.

But God has other plans for His children. He desires “to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins” (Acts 26:18). He desires us to “resist the devil” (James 4:7), and not “give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27).

He also has plans for Satan, including “everlasting chains under darkness” (Jude 6), and “everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). Just one little word, and Satan will be “cast into the lake of fire and . . . tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).

Jesus, anticipating His coming execution, spake of it in triumphant terms. This had been His Father’s will all along. “Now,” He said, “shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:31,32) and now the battle is His. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

His Kingdom Is Forever (#19941006)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith: who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1,2).

The four verses of “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” could be considered one long statement, with each verse building directly on the one before. This final verse describes our tools and comportment while in the battle, and the final victory.

That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours Thro’ Him who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also; The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.

As soldiers in the King’s army, we have certain God-given abilities and possessions, most notably the indwelling Spirit of God and the empowering gifts of the Spirit. “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His” (Romans 8:9). “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit” (I Corinthians 12:4).

We should “fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28). Our focus should be on Him, “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts” (even goods and kindred [Luke 9:60–62] if need be), but “we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12,13).

As of yet the battle continues. “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne,” promises the risen Christ, “even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne” (Revelation 3:21), “and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:17). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

God's Immediate Presence (#19941007)
by Norman P. Spotts, D.D.

“And He said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest” (Exodus 33:14).

Moses was greatly concerned over the heavy responsibility of leading the nation of Israel into the promised land. He even came to the place where he said to the lord, “See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people; and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me” (33:12). The Lord’s answer is significant. He promised Moses that he would not have to search for outside help because His personal presence would go with him. He would give him victory and rest. Moses quickly responded, “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence” (33:15), and, “For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us?” (33:16).

Moses learned a valuable lesson that all believers should take to heart—namely, that the lord “will never leave us nor forsake us” (Hebrews 13:5). This verse is quoted from Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

Not only has the Lord promised to go before the sheep when He sends them forth (John 10:4), but He has revealed the comforting truth that each member of the Godhead resides within every true believer. Jesus spoke of this in John 14.

The Holy Spirit—“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever” (14:16).

The Father and the Son—“Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (14:23).

As we walk daily in the realization of God’s immediate presence. He will surely give us rest. NPS

[Soldier4Christ]

Sons And Daughters (#19941008)
by Connie J. Horn

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” (Hosea 4:6).

It is true every man is seen as an individual before God (Psalm 139), but it is also true that children receive a structure of circumstances engineered by their parents, whether of blessing through obedience, or bondage due to sin.

Consider Israel’s judgment: “But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee. . . . Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long. . . . The LORD shall bring a nation against thee. . . . A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor show favor to the young. . . . And he shall besiege thee. . . . And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters” (Deuteronomy 28:15–53; see also II Kings 6:24–29). When God moved the king of Babylon against Israel, the daughters were “slain in the field” (Ezekiel 26:.

Evolutionary teaching has corrupted its recipient generations to the point that the daughters of our nation are lining up to “shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters” (Psalm 106:38). For our children’s sake, we must stand in the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13–18) and sound the battle cry of Nehemiah: “Remember the LORD, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses” (Nehemiah 4:14). CJH

[Soldier4Christ]

Lazarus And The Rich Man (#19941009)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried” (Luke 16:22).

Many scholars believe that the episode reported in Luke 16:19–31 actually happened; that it is a true story. If it is a parable, it is not identified as such, and it is the only one in which the name of a participant is given. Christ related the story as if it were true. But whether history or parable, we can learn much from the contrast between these two dramatically different men, their deaths and destinies.

The rich man, of course, surrounded himself with luxury (v.19) while Lazarus struggled each day just to survive until the next poverty-filled and pain-wracked day (vv.20,21).

No one can escape the grave, however, and in the passage of time, both died. But, rather than reducing those two different individuals to the commonality of death, their differences actually are heightened. The rich man, “being in torments” (v.23), was aware of the comfort of Lazarus in “Abraham’s bosom” (v.22). The interchange between the rich man and Abraham, and the timeless instruction Christ gave, are well known.

Note also the contrast between “carried” and “buried” in our text. The beggar’s body was no doubt unceremoniously dumped into a pauper’s grave, while the rich man’s corpse was placed in a costly sepulcher, and his funeral attended by many friends and mourners. But look beyond the earthy spectrum. While the rich man begs for mercy and relief from torment, the poor man’s eternal spirit is “carried” (literally, “carried off” or “borne away”) by a convoy of angelic beings into the presence of God, where “now he is comforted” (v.25). For Lazarus, and indeed for all who die in the Lord, “death is swallowed up in victory” (I Corinthians 15:54). JDM