Psalm 56:13

For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

I believe to fully understand the word “death” we need to go back to Genesis. This is the very term the serpent used to deceive Eve, because there was no death before the fall. The serpent caused them to doubt God for the false promise of something better. This sin severed their relationship with God, making them, and their descendants, dead to Him. Romans 6:23 says “the wages of sin is death”. Our sinful nature makes us dead to God relationally. The bad news is there’s nothing we can do to restore this, but God promised, through Jesus, to defeat the power of what makes us dead to him, restoring what was lost, fulfilling the promise, to those who believe.

Union with God is life, separation from God is death. Ps 56:13 further says He delivered “my feet from stumbling.” As we live between the “already and the not yet” the Holy Spirit guides us in our journey, draws us closer in relationship, so that we may walk in His light, and live as branches in the Vine, that is Christ.

Righteous Abba, search us and know our hearts, test us and know our anxious thoughts. See if there’s any offensive way in us and lead us in the way everlasting.

– Bill Koehl