A new song was recently introduced to the congregation called “Christ Our Hope in Life and Death”. This song is loosely based on the Heidelberg Catechism question number one.
Q1. What is thy only comfort in life and death?
A. That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.”
This question and answer has its roots in 1 Corinthians 6:19 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price.”
This truth is one of great comfort. As believers, we are comforted that we belong to God. We are not an island. We are not going at this alone. Our Comforter, the Holy Spirit, is with us always and is providing us with all that we need to live Godly lives and be wholly dependent upon God alone.
This question and answer also brings to light the sovereignty and providence of God and quenches any temptations to worry or anxiety due to our circumstances. Let us not succumb to the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, tribulation, or persecution, but rather may we be those that hear the Word, understand it, and do it (Matt 13:18-23).
John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Take heart….He has overcome the world!
