Devotion: Love Beyond Death

This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10

True love is hard to find; it’s even harder to lose.

Everyone could see in their eyes the love the Christian couple had for each other. If someone asked them when they first knew they loved each other, they both agreed: it was their first kiss by the river — 50 years ago.

Then one day, suddenly, the man’s wife died. Surviving the death of his wife was very painful for the man. She, quite simply, was his world, what he lived for. For a long time he asked God in prayer why this had happened. He was heartbroken.

When we ask ourselves where God is during times of suffering and pain, the answer is He is with us, holding us, and giving us strength. Because God has love for each and every one of us, He continues to stay with us through all our trials.

Even though our sin would have separated us eternally from God, He has not walked away from us. In His eternal love He sent His Son, born of a woman, and heralded by the Old Testament prophets who pointed to a future Messiah.

And in the fullness of time, our Savior was born.

It is God who has given us the gift of life through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. He gave His life on the cross so that believers would have life in abundance — in all circumstances — even those who mourn the death of their spouse.

THE PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, remind us that nothing in all creation can separate us from Your love. We have been bought with a price — the supreme sacrifice of Your beloved Son. Now, through faith we are Your own. Comfort us when we falter; lift us up when we are weak; revive us when we mourn. Thank You for Your presence and Your peace. Amen.

Valeria Bustamante

Biography of Author: This devotion is based on a text submitted by Valeria Bustamante. In Argentina, Lutheran Hour Ministries supports Argentina Lutheran church missions in Rosario, Tucuman, Salta, and Patagonia. It also utilizes outreach programs that include radio spots, text messaging, podcasts, musical theater, printed literature, and Project JOEL in this country of more than 40 million people.