by Linda Veath

He LivesLC

I Know That My Redeemer Lives—written in the 1700s—is my favorite Easter hymn. I love how the majority of the lines in its eight verses begin with “He Lives,” followed by the joys we receive as a result. To celebrate Easter this year, I decided to look at some of my favorite Bible verses in light of the fact that He lives. Here’s what I came up with ……

HE LIVES!   We have obtained mercy (1 Timothy 1:15-16) and forgiveness of sin (1 John 1:9) because He loved us and gave Himself for us (Galatians 2:20).

HE LIVES!   He has called us by name (Isaiah 43:1) and made us a new creation in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17).

HE LIVES!   We can approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16) where He intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25).

HE LIVES!   He has the Words of eternal life (John 6:68) which give us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

HE LIVES!   His plans to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11) will be fulfilled (Psalm 138:8). We can do all things through His strength (Philippians 4:13) as He will be with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9).

HE LIVES!   He gives us treasures in the darkness (Isaiah 45:3), turning it into light before us, making the rough places smooth (Isaiah 42:16).

HE LIVES!   We don’t have to worry about anything (Philippians 4:6-7) but can lie down and sleep in peace and safety (Psalm 4:8) because our troubles are light and momentary (2 Corinthians 4:17).

HE LIVES!   We don’t have to dwell on the past because He has made streams in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:18-19). And we don’t have to worry about the future because He will not forsake us when we are old and gray (Psalm 71:8).

HE LIVES!   His grace is sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:9) so we can run with perseverance the race He sets before us (Hebrews 12:1).

HE LIVES!   We can fight the good fight and finish the race (2 Timothy 4:7) because victory is ours through Him (1 Corinthians 15:57). When He appears, we shall see Him as He is (1 John 3:2) and live with Him forever (John 3:16).

Now it’s your turn. Why not try something like this as you celebrate Easter and find the sweet joy that this sentence gives:

I know that my Redeemer lives!

He lives, all glory to His name!

He lives, my Jesus, still the same;

Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:

I know that my Redeemer lives!*

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!

* First and last stanzas of “I Know that My Redeemer Lives”