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Two words provide enduring comfort: Jesus lives. The risen Savior is the victor over death and the grave. He laid His life down on the cross and took it back again on the third day. He lives—and our sins are forgiven. He lives—and we are never alone, for He is with us always. He lives—and death's obituary is written. He lives—and heaven is our home by grace. He lives— and our bodies will be raised from the grave. Amidst the manifold changes in our lives, we can treasure the unchanging love of Christ for us. Even in the most grievous situation, in the darkest hour, we can say, "For You are my rock and fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, lead me and guide me" (Psalm 31:3). We never grieve alone. The living and loving Savior is with us. Our gracious Lord has given us His Holy Word and Sacraments, the Means of Grace, to use as tools when we feel the loneliness of grief. His Word bespeaks us loved, forgiven, and heirs of heaven. His Word is suste- nance and strength for our souls. The psalmist states, "I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word" (Psalm 119:107). Comfort abounds! Our Baptism is a well of comfort our entire life, a life-giving flood of mercy. "I am bap- tized." Three simple words of enduring comfort. We can rejoice that we are children of God and heirs of ever- lasting life. We were marked on fore- head and heart with the sign of the cross to mark as one redeemed by Christ. Comfort abounds! The Lord sets a table before us in the presence of our enemies of sin, death, and the devil—the gift of Holy Communion. We taste and see that the Lord, He is good. We laud and magnify His glorious Name with angels, arch- angels, and all the company of heaven. This indeed is a foretaste of the feast to come. Comfort abounds! We can say the Lord's Prayer, ever mindful that it covers our every need of body and soul. St. Paul exhorts us, "Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all cir- cumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:17–18). Comfort abounds! How blessed we are to stand within the doors of God's house with our fellow believers to hear of Christ and receive His gifts through Word and Sacrament. Comfort abounds for you, my grieving friend. Comforts richly afforded as we open the treasure chest of God's Holy Word. We hear the clear voice of our Good Shepherd saying, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand," (John 10:27–28). Jesus bids us "Come unto Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," (Matthew 11:28). The Lord is our keeper. He hears our sighs and our cries for mercy. He knows our hearts are broken. He sees our head cupped in our hands. He is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46) our hope and confidence in all circumstances (Psalm 71). He inclines His ear to us always (Psalm 102). Peter reminds us, "Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). What tender mercy the Lord has for us! A most comforting truth! He is with us. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord," (Revelation 14:13). Those who have gone before us are blessed. How so? Blessed to be with the Lord, safe and sound according to the soul. Blessed to behold Christ. Blessed to sing, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb," (Revelation 7:10). The Word of the Savior, "Today you will be with Me in paradise," (Luke 23:43), comforts us knowing our loved ones are with Him—safe and sound, alive and well according to the soul. Their bodies will rise from the grave, as will ours, on the Last Day at the command of Christ. A blessed future indeed! We are blessed now on our earthly pilgrimage to hear of Christ and His cross. We will be blessed at our death to be with Him and those who have gone before us in the true faith. Little wonder St. Paul states, "My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better" (Philippians 1:23). The cup of comfort the Lord provides runs over. • Kristian Kincaid, Living with grief: Bound By Sorrow, wrapped in Com- fort (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2020). We never grieve alone. The living and loving Savior is with us. Grief is difficult. Perhaps the most difficult is the way it clings after a loss. Find hope and be wrapped in Christ's comfort with encouraging words from Rev. Kincaid. Find this title and others in this issue at cph.org. LIVING WITH GRIEF: BOUND BY SORROW, WRAPPED IN COMFORT Lutheran Life 9

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