As the weather was warming up this spring, my daughter Natalie texted me, "I just about stepped on a snake and then got chased in by a wasp. I think you should spray for snakes and wasps." 

I laughed and said I would spray for snakes and wasps. 

Snakes, bees, and spiders, oh my. What do they all have in common? They can sting/bite you. The apostle Paul drew on this fear and talked about death: 

“O Death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?”

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:55-57).

The death of Jesus Christ on the cross frees us from sin—stinger removed.

The death of Jesus Christ on the cross frees us from the condemnation of attempting to live by the law to please God—poison from stinger removed.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ removes any victory of fear that death had over us who are in Christ—snakes, bees, and spiders all sprayed for. 

So when this corruptible [body] has put on incorruption [spiritual body with Christ], and this mortal [body] has put on immortality [new body in Christ], then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15:54). 

Truly the best is yet to come!