"O death, where is your victory?"

-1 Corinthians 15:55

Luke's gospel tells us that Simeon was promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before he died. When the Christ child was only eight days old and brought into the temple, Simeon, now in his old age, took Him in his arms and blessed God, and said, "Now Lord, Thou dost let Thy bond-servant depart in peace, according to Thy word, for my eyes have seen Thy salvation." Ryle comments, "He speaks like one for whom the grave has lost its terrors, and the world its charms. He desires to be released from the miseries of this pilgrim-state of existence, and to be allowed to go home. He is willing to be "absent from the body and present with the Lord." He speaks as one who knows where he is going when he departs this life and cares not how soon he goes. The change with him will be a change for the better, and he desires that his change may come." The media and the CDC have instilled a lot of fear in people concerning the COVID virus, but no believer needs to fear death for “thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Be encouraged!

References: 1 Corinthians 15:55; Luke 2:25-32; Colossians 1:27; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospel – Luke Volume 1; 1 Corinthians 15:57