Victory Through Our Lord Jesus Christ [1 Corinthians 15:50-58]

51Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55"O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

Death feels so final to us.  My father was here all those years and now he is not.  I think of something I need to ask him reagarding a building project and then realize I can't call him on the phone.  If this life is all there is to it, why toil?  But thanks be to God - He has given us victory over death, sin and the law through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Our toil is not in vain in the Lord.