It’s ironic how hard we work to avoid something unavoidable.
Unless Jesus comes back first, every woman reading these words will die. Our bodies will be buried or burned. Our name and photo will be the one on the funeral program. Because our world is profoundly warped and broken by sin, the survival rate is zero (Ecclesiastes 9:3).
The psalmist penned it this way:
As for man, his days are like grass—
he blooms like a flower of the field;
when the wind passes over it, it vanishes,
and its place is no longer known.
—Psalm 103:15–16
Does that thought send shivers through your spiritual nervous system? It should. Every death is a jarring reminder that this is not the Eden that God planned for us.
I’ve tasted the bile of death personally in recent days as I watched my beautiful and beloved momma leave a body wrecked and racked by early onset Alzheimer’s. Perhaps there’s a part of you that hopes I can sanitize the story—to tell you that watching your person die isn’t solemn or scary or shocking. Sadly, I cannot. Death is a formidable enemy. It rarely takes us without a fight.
But there’s a reason the Bible encourages us to spend more time at funerals than all-you-can-eat buffets (Ecclesiastes 7:2). Deathbed vigils expose what’s truer than true: Death is the gateway to eternal life. Jesus wasn’t using hyperbole when He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live” (John 11:25 ESV, emphasis mine).
Jesus faced death head on to remove its stinger (1Corinthians 15:55). Just as His death on the cross preceded His glorious resurrection, so your death will make a way for eternal life in the dazzling presence of your triumphant Savior.
Yes, death will snatch the life you know, but in exchange Jesus will give you life like you’ve never known. A life that can never, ever be taken from you in a place where “death will be no more” (Revelation 21:4–5).
Here’s what I know for sure: My mom did not lose her battle with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s lost its battle with her. Because of Christ, she won! On one side of death she faced suffering and disease and heartache, and on the other side she stood face to face with the lover of her soul—healed and fully free. Death to life. Buried to rise again.
There’s a reason “Amazing Grace” is sung so often at funerals. It is amazing that God’s grace allows us to face death with real hope. But there’s a verse of that song we often skip: “Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail / and mortal life shall cease / I shall possess, within the veil / A life of joy and peace.”
Life beyond the veil is what life is all about. It’s what death is all about.
Lord, teach us to number our days carefully (Psalm 90:12).
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77 thoughts on "Mortality and Life"
This was a stunning devotional and particularly meaning for me as I prepare for the death of a loved one.
Ooof! This was a powerful and poignant devo. Thank you to the author for not mincing words. I have experienced death many more times than I thought I would at my age from people who seemed “too young” but we are only promised eternal life – not a long and prosperous one. Thank you for letting your heartache speak truth here.
Amen
“The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease
I shall possess within the veil
A life of joy and peace”
Amen!
When we give our lives to Jesus He will give us life like we’ve ever would have known. In Jesus we are made new and the old is gone it’s done. Even tho we will die we will live forever with God in heaven just as He promises us when we truly accept Jesus into our hearts. ❤️❤️✝️✝️
Lord,know me from inside out. Guide me to eternal life. I need you Lord. Please don’t give up on me.
Even though Ecclesiastes were not in the Scripture reading today, I loved how Erin wove in the verses very well. Because our world is profoundly warped and broken by sin, the survival rate is zero (Ecclesiastes 9:3). Ecclesiastes 9:3 reminds us that the same end will eventually find us, madness fills the heart of men until they go to dead. Isn’t that the truth? It dawned on me about the life span of humans in Scripture. Adam lived to be 930 years old. And then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years” (Genesis 6:3). By the time we reach Psalm 90:10, “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away”. I went to read in Ecclesiastes, this book of wisdom with a mixture of blues (mourning the reality of man) brings me a shift in perspective.
“All things are full of weariness, a man cannot utter it, the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing, what has been is what will be” (Ecclesiastes 1: 8-9). King Solomon highlights the eyes and the ears here, very interesting, the primary gateways for human experiences. They will not be satisfied. Then I thought of the modern day digital age we are in, that is designed to drive man into a state of perpetual craving, searching for the next new revolutionary, the next best thing… to never be full. The weariness remains. Futile isn’t it? So what fills us? “Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty” John 6:35. Is it too simple? How often do I forget? How often I search and wander when His Word says it right there. “For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom” (1 Corinthians 1:22), and indeed, modern day human seeks after advanced technology, artificial intelligence, new engineering, new optimization, blah blah, except the wisdom of God to solve their modern day issues. The weariness remains. We complicate the cure, and it’s just futile. God uses simplicity to confound the wise. The Lord alone is our need, He alone is the Author of Life, the Creator of simplicity and complexity, and only through Him can all our needs in this short life be met. It is just incredible, and I am thankful He came down on earth to make Himself known to us, to be our friend, to serve and to give His life. What a wonderful God we serve.
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MARGARET W- praying for your son David that he be comforted despite the situation.
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Be blessed dear sisters.
Erin Davis I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my mom 15 years ago – there’s nothing to compare to losing a mom. Prayers for you as you mourn her loss, yet rejoice that she is with her Savior.
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Erin boldly spoke what we seldom talk about – our own deaths, as if they are never going to happen.
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I pray that when the time comes to meet Jesus that I will accept it gracefully and be the witness and testimony of God’s amazing love and grace that I should be. I hope I can die as beautifully as my mom did. She got sick and went to the ER, Christmas Eve 2010, she came home to die 2 1/2 weeks later. She knew she was dying which gave her the opportunity to plan her funeral, she even picked out what she would wear and at times, she was comforting us. She never asked “why”, she simply accepted it as God’s will for her. She was going “home” and she looked forward to it. She was an amazing testimony to all who visited her in her dying days.
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“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
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@Kelly Neo – thank you for the song share, I had not heard it before – love it!
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Happy Thursday my dear sisters in Christ!❤️
I love that about your mom Sharon! My mom was the same…she always said she couldn’t wait to go home when it was time. I, too, often know it will be a beautiful homecoming! It’s the ones left behind that mourn.
Oh, I almost forgot—a prayer request for my son David. His dad took 2 of our daughters on vacation with him to see his sister in Florida. He had asked if he could take our son (who is 31 and disabled; I am the legal guardian, so I make him ask). Then he claims his sister said she didn’t have room for 3 children, so David couldn’t come. I retorted that he could get a hotel room to make space, and I reminded him of times we had been left out of family vacation his father planned and how that felt. He didn’t budge. My son doesn’t live with me, but he WILL find out, and it will hurt him. I am beyond livid, but I know I can’t make my ex a decent human. Please pray for my son to heal from yet another hurt inflicted on him by his father. (He did the same thing a couple of years ago, although I don’t know if my son found out that time. )
That’s awful, I am so sorry that your son gets left out. I pray he doesn’t find out and if he does that he will be able to accept it with a right heart.
I wanted to share my lament/prayer for today:
You are the God who makes everything beautiful in its time—you take care to create the flowers beautifully—even though they exist for but a moment—you took the time to make them beautiful. How much more you do for your sons and daughters! Yet some of them refuse to honor the gift of life you have breathed into them and into all of creation. I know it must break your heart far more than it infuriates me, for they all bear your image, however dim and distorted they have allowed that image to become in their darkened hearts. Would you continue to reach out to them—our world leaders especially and to the abusers of the world in general? At least until the moment that they have reached the point of no return, where their hearts are completely given over to darkness? Then, I know that you will do what is just and right because you are the God who is justice and righteousness personified. Because these qualities are part of the endless love that makes you who you are. Amen—so let it be.
Amen ❤️❤️
“We are just walking each other home.’
This is a quote from my favorite pastor.
I am, (me, Mari), fearfully and wonderfully made; your works (my God) are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 130:14. I remind myself of this often. I recall a picture of a little child who was frustrated and in the caption it said: “God does not make junk.” I remind myself when I’m down or frustrated with myself, that I am wonderfully and fearfully made. And many times, I whisper it to these precious little TK students, that I have an honor to be their teacher helper, although they do call me teacher. They are the cutest ever!! I have more I would like to add, but out of time, and this time I started earlier. Sigh….. I did read the comment below by Nat Ga. I too miss our dear Churchmouse.
Beautiful Erin. Thank you for the reminder that Alzheimer’s did not win the battle in my mom’s death either. Precious memories of her have been fluttering by as Mother’s Day was last weekend. She was a Prayer Warrior and I know she is dancing in heaven to be with her Lord and Savior.
It’s a wonderful thing not to fear death! And considering the odds of dying are 100%, well, isn’t it wonderful that we know what many others question about an afterlife?! We don’t have to wonder and suppose, and wish, or fear because Jesus rose from the dead! He is our blessed assurance, Hallelujah!! So even when we lose someone unexpectedly, although paralyzing and numbing at the time, we still have something to tether us when we are in Christ, when they are in Christ.
But what do we do when we lose someone that was not a believer? Why does every funeral we attend presume the person is going to a good place? And God rest his soul? If they didn’t believe, and family doesn’t believe, why are their funerals the same as Christians? Why is there false hope given? We are seeing more and more memorials bypassed and “let’s just meet at a bar and drink to our friend” events. That is scary. But to me it is more appropriate if you do not believe in Christ. Why put on the pretense. Just my thinkings out loud this morning.
Death is a wake-up call. It reminds us our days are numbered, and this is good. No one wants to lose loved ones, but if we know that it’s a possibility it makes us more likely to love them better. To live each day with purpose and an awareness. When I kiss my husband each day knowing anything can happen, I pray for him. I let the issues go, and I bless him. When we love our kids as the gifts they are, it keeps us aligned and balanced. Our aging parents remind us that the cycle of life is promised and no one escapes it.
The precious Bible fills us with the knowledge and preparation we need. And through the sorrow of death we have a God the comforts us and gives us peace. We can be sad, but Joy does come in the morning.
The light wins, death lost its sting! The grave has no victory. That is the good news of the gospel.
When I was being potentially set up with my husband by my then client I asked “is he a Christian?!” Her answer was one of unsurity. She said he had just gone through a hard and painful loss of both parents that both had suffered with hard illness. That she thought he might be a little lost in perspective. He had just been through a rocky divorce as well. But when I met him I knew his foundation was there. So although he was indeed shook, his anchor was there, it just hadn’t got taught yet. He was meant to find me, as I him. My faith help ignite his again. His grief took time to heal, and the unfairness of Alzheimer’s to not sting quiet as bad. Healing comes, and then we are the ones aging not knowing what lies ahead. I just pray God gets us through one day at a time as he always has. I have seen unfair heartaches and disease, and instant loss car wrecks and tragedies as ya’ll have, but God. He knew it all before we were born. Nothing surprises him, it was all written. His plans are good for the purposes of ALL that love him. So lets love him with all we have. Amen. Keep our eyes focused on you daily Lord so we are fortified and ready. We don’t want to be knocked all over the place with the storms, we want to be anchored. We want our house to be solid and not build on shifting sand. You are the rock. And we will stand firm in your loving care. Trust and obey, for there IS NO OTHER Way. Thank you for your promises and sacrifice for those in you. Amen.
We should also touch on the fact that many people believe they will choose IF and WHEN the time comes. Wouldn’t that make things easy?! Live how you want, choose the right way when the time comes? Doesn’t that make Jesus’ sacrifice at the cross insufficient? If we can go to Purgatory, or have a redo (incarnation), well, we might as well all live it up with our time here, as most do. Yet, that always leads to an empty life. And worse yet, eternal damnation. We are told it is crucial that we tell the good news of Jesus and salvation and eternal life through him, with him, otherwise there IS another eternal life they will face. We can’t let people think there is no after-life, for we know there is. Even without faith, there are tens of thousands of accounts of being sent back after an encounter.
There are other people that say..God will work it all out in the end. That makes it sound a little too close to “all roads lead to God. Again, doesn’t that belittle Jesus’ sacrifice. And the story of the rich man and Lazarus reveals there are no second chances. “The “great chasm” symbolizes that the opportunity for repentance and change is only in this life.” (Google, I had to check the reference in Luke 16).
So again, I say…oh I am so glad I have a personal relationship with the Lord. “He IS the way, the truth, the life!”
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Last year was a year of loss. I lost my dear aunt in February 2025 and between November and February, my husband and I lost four friends, three to cancer. In our grieving, we could rejoice that they are all now with our Savior.
I copied the following comment from our dear Churchmouse back in 2020. I think she says it perfectly – as she always did.
“CHURCHMOUSE SAYS:
February 7, 2020 at 8:06 am
A friend of mine had died after a six year battle with ALS. It was mentioned she “had lost” her battle against this dreaded disease. She was a strong woman of faith and had loved her Jesus deeply. I struggled with the idea that she “lost the fight”. I don’t think that’s the right phrase. And so I said I didn’t really believe that. The battle wasn’t lost. The disease didn’t win. I think the war was simply over. Her Commander in Chief told His soldier the battle was over. Her tour of duty was done. It was time for her to go home. The soldier hasn’t lost the battle when he receives his orders to go home. And so my dear friend got her orders and went home to heaven, greeted with a hero’s welcome. I believe her Commander in Chief held His arms open wide and proclaimed “Well done, good and faithful servant!” The disease lost. She won. It wasn’t even close.”
Thank you so much for sharing this. Well said! CHURCHMOUSE did have a way with words. I miss her terribly as we all do.
Fourteen months ago my precious Jack won his battle against cancer and dementia and went home to be with our Lord and Savior. I miss him every day but would not bring him back if I could. He is happy and whole. I know that so many of our sisters here are dealing with grief. May our mourning be turned to dancing!
I am so sorry for the losses that each of you have suffered. Praying that God will give you His peace.
Lynne, lifting you and all of our Sisters who are grieving in prayer. ❤️❤️
Churchmouse………………..I miss this beautiful She! I wish I would of kept more of her writings/comments. Although I do have one hers, I’m going to keep this one as well.
❤️ thank you for this.
Wow, thank yo for sharing! That’s beautiful. Miss Churchmouse and her words of encouragement and wisdom. ❤️
Thank you for sharing this. I miss Churchmouse too. ❤️
Yes, thank you Erin for sharing your story! When I was younger, I thought of dying and leaving my family as sad but as I get older, I since a comfort in knowing I will be with Jesus! All the pain and tears will be gone , and I’ll be able to truly rest in His loving arms!
But until then, I’m here on purpose for a purpose and want to do whatever He has for me to do!
Sandy, praying for you! I think that your attitude is wonderful.
Praying for all who have experienced loss! One day we will see Jesus and all our loved ones who got there before us!
Thank you for this beautiful devotional today, Erin. It brought me to tears as I think of the loved ones I’ve lost on this side, but a sweet reminder that they are no longer experiencing pain and suffering. They’re in a place where “death will be no more”!
Praise God!
thanks so so much for this share my experience losing my momma was very similar only she suffered from Huntingtons disease which is very similar as have been my experiences throughout caring for her and the transitioning and now processing of grief your story has truly inspired me in many ways thanks
Beautiful words, Erin thank you so much for sharing this. May your Mom’s soul & spirit fly with Jesus now♥️
Erin….beautiful devotional and sorry for your loss.
The wrestling of living and dying is not easy but as Erin reminded us, death is inevitable and it is the guarantee in life. in the waiting, in this in between, I have to make the days, the time, the moments count and matter. The Lord knows me, he created me and he wants me to live a life that honors Him no matter what comes, no matter the struggles I face. There is hope abd victory on the other side of this broken, lost world. Thank you Lord that as we call on you, we can be reminded of our hope in you. Let me use my days well, guide me, lead me and set the hope of eternity in our hearts. Amen
Yes, Amen! Well said and summation!
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Thank you for sharing such a painful part of your life, Erin. It touched me deeply. What a reminder that walking through death is the entrance to the rest of eternity with our Redeemer. Praying for comfort for you.
ERIN – for you, I am so sorry about your mom. For her, what glorious days. Praying as you continue to miss her and grieve.
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The subtitle for Psalm 139 (NKJV) is ‘God’s Perfect Knowledge of Man’ and it walks us through just how well the Lord knows us, which is far better than we know our own selves – our thoughts, our location, the number of our days…
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My thoughts – are they honoring God and reflecting my faith and salvation?
My location – am I in places or with people that I shouldn’t be? Wherever I am, are my words and actions reflecting Christ?
The number of my days – that really has my attention. Praying I use them wisely and seek the Lord’s guidance daily.
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MARY ❤️
GWINETH52 ❤️❤️❤️
MARI V praying for family relationships
TRICIA C ❤️
MERCY ❤️
CEE GEE ❤️
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Amen!!!
Erin, There really are no words but Christ’s to help ease the pain of losing a momma. It’s so hard and I’m sorry for your loss for I have felt it. Thank you for the reminder of hope and victory we have in Jesus even in death. I pray that one day very soon you’ll have a new song of joy in your heart that lasts until you see her again. “Satisfy us in the morning with your faithful love so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days.” Ps. 90:14
Thank you Jesus for the Victory of death. May we walk in Great confidence today appreciating the
**Victory over death
Erin this devotional is such a comfort as we understand death is the victory. In death we experience heaven. What a wonderful thought.
Prayers for you in this time of grieving and rejoicing your mother.
Amen!
Amen!
Beautiful devotion today, as well as all of the responses I’ve read this morning. Thank you all for sharing ❤️ “My mom did not lose her battle with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s lost its battle with her. Because of Christ, she won!” This spoke to me today as I continue to pray for my mom. Wishing everyone a blessed day.
From HRT by Alex Florez
“For followers of Jesus, the tension between life and death, between grief and joy is fundamental to the journey of faith. And in Jesus, death is defeated once and for all. His resurrection guarantees the resurrection that awaits those who call Him Lord.”
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From the bridge of the song, “Homecoming” by Cory Asbury
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And I see bright, crimson robes draped over the ashes
A wide, open tomb where there should be a casket
The children are singing, and dancing, and laughing
The Father is welcoming
This is our homecoming
Roses in bloom pushed up from the embers
Our rivers of tears flow from good times remembered
Families are singing, and dancing, and laughing
The Father is welcoming
This is our homecoming
Heaven joins in with a glorious sound
And the great cloud of witnesses all gather ’round
‘Cause the ones that were lost are finally found
The Father is welcoming
This is our homecoming
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One fine day…
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May this hope be an encouragement to you ladies today.
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❤️ so good.
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Thanks for sharing that song; new to me! ❤
Amen
Oh, Erin. Thank you for sharing a beautiful piece of writing and truth with us, even in the midst of your heartache and grief. It was a gift.
I’m so sorry for your loss, and I’m praying for your comfort and strength during this tough time.
So agree – wonderfully, faithfully, poignantly written. Thank you for sharing your experience of loss to share your enlightenments with us. I am sorry for your loss and rejoice with you that her strife is over and battle won. Alleluia!
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i’ve been diagnosed with dementia and I am numbering my days, and am meeting it head on. I know God is in control so I am ready to deal with it.
“Head on” with Jesus at your side.
yes
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What a wonderful attitude to have. Prayers for you as you live with this diagnosis. ❤️
thankyou
Sandi, it’s so hard to get that diagnosis. I, too, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I am praying God will give you peace, knowing that even when we can’t remember, He will never forget. He knows us, loves us, and will be with us, even in times of confusion and fear. I pray He comforts you with love and peace.
I am so struck today by psalm 139 v12 that “even the darkness is not dark to you” (God)… how wonderful is that? That even when we feel overwhelmed with the darkness, we cannot escape God’s love because he searches for and knows us so deeply. I also recommend the song: “Where O Grave is Your Victory?” By Ben Slee on this!!! X
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Beautiful words, to address the stinger of death now is to know that there is a beautiful life on the other side. ⛅️☀️
ERIN DAVIS, I am truly sorry for your loss and pray your heart has peace knowing Momma is safe and with her Savior..
Sending you much love, covered in prayers ❤️
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This…
Here’s what I know for sure: My mom did not lose her battle with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s lost its battle with her. Because of Christ, she won!
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Such truth! I have said this in the past, that my girl did not lose her fight, because she got to be with the Lord.
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As some of you know, I used to cook for the disadvantaged in our community,. One of the volunteers approached asking what was for lunch one day. Knowing he was allergic to peppers, I replied chicken and pepper casserole, as a joke, his response still makes me smile today..
He said “.. I’m glad i asked because if you had killed me, (wait for it) I would have come back to haunt you!”
“Seriously”, I immediately replied, “why would you do that? You’ll be with the LORD, WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO LEAVE HIM TO COME BACK AND HAUNT ME?”
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The thing is, as I’ve gotten older, and in the autumn of my eventful life, I dream of that day, being called home, what joy, what joy my heart, being Christ followers is that not the dream or the Hope? That we will be with the LORD when the time comes? Or that Eternity is where our hearts look forward to when this life is over?
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I began my journey with God, when Julee died, my thinking was, if I start to follow Jesus, I’ll be with julee when I die…
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BUT GOD..
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He changed my way of thinking, not just to be with Julee, but to be with Him, TRULY with Him. It was always about Him and I, Julee was the catalyst, my ‘Damascus road’ to who I have become since then. A true believer, who sometimes slips on the wayside journey, but nonetheless one who lives in the hope of Eternal days with our Father God..
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AMEN.
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Happiest of Thursday’s, my fellow sojourners, praying Gods richest blessings over you and yours today,
Much love..❤️
This is so beautiful Tina ❤️❣️
And you are right…the switch from my childhood “I just definitely don’t want to go to Hell so I’ll take whatever (even a peripheral) spot in Heaven!!” to
“I love You Lord, I want to be with You always”
is an important one…I occasionally slip back when my heart isn’t right with Him but, yes Lord, I want YOU!!
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Guess what, Tina?!?
I’m on the same side of the pond as you!! I didn’t have much time / bandwidth to update my beautiful sisters in this community in the 6-8 weeks leading up.to our sweet boy going to his “forever home” (let’s continue to pray for that household’s faith ✝️)….
but within a day, we “ran away from home” to our long awaited vacation to visit family in Europe, thanks be to God!!
Hope your time away brings rest to your hearts and souls.
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Beautifully said Tina! ❤️
Foster Mama – enjoy your time with your family, on the other side of the pond. ❤️
You truly touch my heart. Tina. ❤️
I’m on Tina’s side of the pond this morning! We’re celebrating my grad school graduation with a trip to beautiful Scotland. Thank you, Erin, for the powerful reminders this morning. I love the perspective of “…Alzheimer’s lost its battle with her…” Give us wisdom, Lord, as we consider our days. Thank you that you hold each one, already knowing the number of them.
Hey, me too❤️ (the across part)!!
Congratulations on your graduation!!!
Hope you enjoy Scotland.
It is beautiful there!
Congratulations and enjoy your time in Scotland! It’s beautiful, I was there a few years back but not for long enough, I would love to go back again!
I awake, and I am still with you
This was beautiful. Thank you.