Decay Defeated

Decay is a fact of life, right? Tooth decay is in our mouths, road decay is under our vehicles, and something unknown is decaying in the back of your fridge right now. “Pain and decay in all around I see” is how the hymn writer put it. Decay is a fact of life ever since Adam and Eve sinned.

But there is one place that decay did not reign supreme. This truth is what gives us confidence as we face the effects of decay in our daily lives. This week’s psalm of the day reminds us that God did not let the “Holy One” or Messiah see decay. This is the truth that we celebrated on Easter. It is the truth we celebrate each week in worship. Jesus rose from the dead! Our sins are forgiven through his life, death, and resurrection!

One Thousand years before Jesus’ resurrection David expressed the confidence that Jesus’ resurrection gives all believers, “my body will also rest secure.” Even when believers’ bodies are buried we know they will rest secure because Jesus rose. We can say with David, “Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” We know that we have a risen and ruling Savior. He guarantees our resurrection on the Last Day. Then with glorified bodies reunited with our souls we will spend eternity in the perfection of heaven with God and all the saints!

Psalm 16

I have set the LORD always before me.

    Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

My heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

    my body also will rest secure,

because you will not abandon me to the grave,

            nor will you let your Holy One see decay.