“Ain’t No Grave”

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Our reading, titled Ain't No Grave, was written by Lisa M. Samra. Even as country music legend Johnny Cash was approaching death, he was determined to keep making music. His final album, American Six, Ain't No Grave, was recorded in the final months of his life. The title song, Cash's version of a hymn by Claude Ely, gives insight into his final thoughts as we hear him sing of his hope of the resurrection. His famously deep voice, though weakened by his declining health, declares a powerful testimony of faith. Johnny's hope wasn't simply in the fact that Jesus was resurrected on Easter Sunday morning. He believed that one day his own physical body would also be resurrected and he'd rise again. It's an important truth to affirm because even in the days of the Apostle Paul, people denied a future physical resurrection.

Paul strongly critiqued their argument when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 15, If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. Just as the grave couldn't hold Jesus's body, one day all those who have faith that he was resurrected will be made alive. And in our resurrected bodies, we'll enjoy all eternity with him on a new earth.

That's a reason to sing. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 12 through 22. If it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile. You are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. Let's pray. Jesus, as we age and our health fails, strengthen our faith and help us rest in the hope we have in you, knowing our faith will not be in vain. Just as we believe in your resurrection from the dead, we believe in our own resurrection to eternal life. May the promise of eternity with you fill us with joy and inspire songs of praise within us. It's in your holy name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening today. My name is Brenna Holsclaw and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.