Life After Death – Greg Laurie Devotion – March 10, 2026

Biblical Context

The book of Job is one of the oldest books in the Bible, likely set during the patriarchal age, perhaps even before Moses. It’s an epic story from ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature. The author isn’t named, but the book explores deep questions about human suffering, God’s justice, and faith in the face of immense pain. Job, a man from the land of Uz, is portrayed as blameless and upright, someone who feared God and stayed away from evil (Job 1:1). The story isn’t just about Job’s personal tragedy; it’s a window into a cosmic struggle where Satan challenges God’s assessment of Job’s loyalty. God allows Satan to test Job, removing his children, wealth, and health, all to prove that Job’s faithfulness isn’t just a byproduct of his blessings. The book ultimately deals with how a good God can allow bad things to happen to good people, and it asks if faith can last when everything falls apart. Job’s questions about life and death come from a place of deep, unexplainable agony.

Key Word Study

Live (again) (Job 14:14): The Hebrew word used here is ḥāyâ (חָיָה). It means “to live,” “to keep alive,” “to have life,” “to recover,” or “to revive.” In this context, Job isn’t just asking about physical survival in this world, but a return to life after death, a revival in the truest sense. It speaks to a restoration, a coming back from the ultimate cessation of physical life. It points to a deep craving for existence beyond the grave, a longing for something more than just an end.

Job’s Honest Cry and Our Universal Question

The book of Job gives us the story of a man who was good and true, someone who stuck with God. But then he faced terrible suffering because Satan made a challenge to God. Satan wanted to show that Job’s goodness and faith would only last as long as God kept blessing him. With God’s permission, Satan took away Job’s beloved children, his wealth and possessions, and his good health. This was a hard test for Job, taking away everything that seemed to make his life good.

Even through all this pain, Job stayed true and faithful. This was true even when his own wife and his closest friends turned on him, giving him bad advice or accusing him. He didn’t understand why any of these terrible things were happening to him. So, he started talking to God very openly, asking tough questions. From the deepest part of his sadness, he asked a question that still matters to us today: “Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death” (Job 14:14 nlt).

Think about that question: Can the dead live again? It’s one of the most important questions anyone can ask. It has real weight. Everyone should ask it, or at least wonder about it in some way. You might ask, “What’s going to happen to me when I die? What is there beyond this place called earth?” These aren’t just thoughts for a quiet moment; they are core questions about our existence. Job, in his pain, found that a clear answer to this question could change his whole perspective on his suffering and even make him eager for death, not as an end, but as a gateway to something more. That’s a powerful statement of hope in the middle of deep despair.

My Journey from Doubt to Certainty

I remember a time, before I became a Christian, when I thought about death often. It wasn’t that I was obsessed with the subject or that I wanted to die. It was more a regular thought that popped up. My main idea at the time was simple: once people stopped living, they just stopped existing. That was it. I wasn’t sure if there was a place called Heaven, and I really hoped there wasn’t a place called Hell. My conclusion back then was that when you’re gone, you’re gone. It’s all over with. The story ends.

Looking back, I can honestly say I’ve never been so glad to be wrong about something in my life. This change in my understanding didn’t just alter a belief; it changed my entire outlook on life and what comes next. The idea of “ceasing to exist” left no room for hope beyond our time on earth. It meant that all struggles, all joys, all efforts ultimately led to nothingness. But discovering the truth about life after death moved me from that empty view to one full of promise.

The Promise of Jesus: Death Isn’t the End

We all share one truth: death is coming for every one of us. But that truth is very far from being the end of the story. Jesus Himself spoke directly about this. He said, “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life” (John 5:24 nlt).

Think about what Jesus says here. It’s not about waiting for something to happen far off in the future. He says we already have eternal life if we listen to His message and believe in God who sent Him. We won’t be condemned for our sins because of what He did. And the most powerful part: we have already passed from death into life. This isn’t a future possibility; it’s a present reality for those who believe. You don’t wait for life after death; you step into it now through faith.

This incredible hope comes to us because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross. He didn’t just die; He paid the full price for our sins. And then, three days later, He rose from the dead. Because of this powerful resurrection, we as Christians have a sure hope. When we die physically, we won’t cease to exist. Instead, we will go immediately into the presence of God and into a wonderful place called Heaven. This is a promise we can hold onto.

The Central Truth: Christ’s Resurrection

That’s why the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is one of the most important biblical truths there is. It’s not just a nice story or a minor detail in our faith. The resurrection of Christ from the dead, next to the crucifixion itself, is the most significant event in church history. These two events — the crucifixion and the resurrection — are the cornerstones of Christianity. Without the cross, there’s no payment for sin. Without the resurrection, there’s no victory over death, and Jesus is just another good teacher who died.

It’s not a side issue; it’s the core truth. It’s the very base of what we believe. It’s the bottom line. If Christ didn’t rise, then our faith is pointless, as Paul himself said. But He did rise! And because He lives, we live. This truth gives meaning to all of our struggles and offers comfort in the face of loss. It answers Job’s question with a resounding “Yes!” and gives us, like Job, a reason to eagerly await that release from this life, knowing what comes next.

Living with Hope and Sharing the Message

If you’ve placed your faith in Christ, you can truly rejoice. You can look forward to what awaits you beyond this life with a calm certainty. This isn’t just wishful thinking; it’s a guaranteed future based on God’s promises and Jesus’ victory. You don’t have to fear death. Instead, you can anticipate a glorious eternity with God.

But with this incredible hope comes a clear responsibility: you have to share this Good News with others. Think about it. Everyone who calls on Jesus will receive eternal life. That’s a promise for anyone who believes. But, as the apostle Paul wrote so clearly, “How can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:14 nlt).

This means you play a vital role. You have a story to tell, a message of hope that can change someone’s entire outlook, just as it changed mine. It’s not about being a perfect speaker; it’s about simply sharing what you know to be true. So, take a moment to reflect on this question: Who in your life needs to hear about the eternal life that Jesus offers? Who needs to know that death isn’t the end, but a door to endless life with God? Let’s be people who share this life-changing truth.