Because He Lives.. (Revelation 1:4-18 / 1 Peter 1:3-9)
There was a story in Japan quite a while back, where a car accident occured, resulting in the car and the victim becoming so disfigured, he could not be identified. However, a policeman on arrival at the scene recognised the car as belonging to the chief builder of the city, who turns out to be an influential figure. He contacted the builder's brother-in-law, who arrived at the scene and confirmed, "Yes, this is my brother-in-law's car." So he went back home and broke the bad news. Later in the evening, as friends and relatives gathered to show their support and console the spouse and immediate family of the chief builder, the front door opened, and the person turned out to be none other than the chief builder himself! Everybody was shocked, and it was as if he came back from the dead. However, what was to be joy for one family, will turn out to be sadness and mourning for the family of the person who died. But in the death and resurrection of Jesus, it turned out to be a different story altogether.
1. ..I have the courage to overcome myself
Like it or not, we are the biggest enemies in many things we want to try and conquer.
Matthew 12:34 - You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Certain groups of people in the early ages try to keep themselves pure by refraining from certain food, but Jesus told them there is no point doing so, because what comes out from their mouths is even worse.
Many of us enjoy pointing out other people's wrongs (we find it easy to do so), but many times we dare not reveal our own weaknesses, probably due to insufficient courage to face our fears. Deep down within us, we know that there are many things we should not have done. Despite feeling ashamed, yet we returned to it (eg visited X shop while a student, smoking, watching certain shows, uttering obscenities etc). Unless someone reaches down to help us, we can be likened to be on sinking sand.
One way to start overcoming ourselves is to 1st acknowledge that we have this problem. When asked why do they believe in God, some people fear that if they don't, God will punish them. Fearing God is one thing, but what is more important is to know how much God loves you.
Ongoingly, the struggle continues, but know that no matter how tough it is, Jesus is always there - the grace of God will always be with us (1 Corinthians 15:10)
2. ..I have the courage to face tomorrow
Proverbs 27:1 - Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.w
There was another story about a couple who underwent a lot of hardship, and looking at the situation around them, they could not bear the thought of giving birth to their child, only for him to come into this world and suffer. But no matter what happens around us, God will bring out good things because all things work together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
We do have a tendency of being frustrated at "Why so many things happen to me?", but the best thing is that no matter how challenging / hopeless your tomorrow may seem, God will be there to encourage, look after, intercede for us.
Hebrews 13:5 - .."Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
He brings out His purpose in every experience we go through.
3. ..I have the courage to overcome death (1 Corinthians 15:16)
Most successful people can get many things, but fail to overcome the ultimate problem that all of us will face. Death is the last enemy that Jesus overcame for us. For some of us, death is just like moving from one phase to another. Imagine waving goodbye to a ship that has left port, and seeing it disappearing in the horizon. The ship may have been gone, but gone where? We may bid farewell on one side, like the ship going further and further away, but on the other side, it is a different story, as the ship approaches the port to a joyous reception.
There is a story about an old lady who went to her doctor and found out that she had terminal cancer, and was about to die soon. So she contacted her pastor, and told him about it. The pastor said that he was sorry to hear that, and asked what can he do for her. As they discussed plans for the funeral (which of her favourite Hillsongs should be played, which of the bible verses that mean the most for her should be read out etc), she asked the pastor, "When you put me in the coffin, can you put a bible on my right hand, and a fork on my left?" The pastor looked puzzled and asked, "Why a fork?" In Western countries, they used to say after a meal, "Keep your fork for the upcoming dessert (can be Secret Recipe cake :p)." The old lady said, "When people come and asked why, I want you to tell them this - 'The best is yet to come'." In other words, there is something greater we can look forward to.
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