There is one chip that is much better without the dip – that would be the one in my credit card. 

It is called an EMV chip and it is essentially a minicomputer.  Unlike the magnetic stripe – it is alive.   It generates a brand new unique cryptographic code for every single purchase and will do so for 10-12 years.   

However, I tried to use my card recently and it was rejected.  I happened to notice that there was a bright red box on it where my chip once lived.  The chip had somehow fallen out. 

But though my credit card was dead, the lost chip was still very much alive, and the finder could now tap it at the cash register at Wal-Mart to buy a bag of chips (of the Lays variety). 

We might think of our souls as EMV chips.  Though the body of a Christian should die, their soul lives on.  Jesus said to His friend Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies, and the one who lives and believes in me will never die” – John 11:25-26.  That’s as clear as it gets. 

There is a curious story of life after death that took place in 1 Samuel.  King Saul and his nation were facing a Philistine invasion and Saul desperately needed the wisdom of God.  God’s mouthpiece to Saul had been the prophet Samuel but he had died. 

So, Saul did what was forbidden in the Word of God and covertly sought out a medium who could purportedly communicate with the dead (1 Samuel 28:7). 

He asked her to contact Samuel that they might talk.  She called for Samuel but was shocked when he actually appeared.  She expected a typical demonic counterfeit.  This was an extraordinary event over which she had no control. This was not her typical pretend ruse.  For an extremely unusual reason, God caused this meeting to take place.

And there he was.  2 Samuel says, “Then Saul realized it was Samuel, and he bowed his face toward the ground and kneeled down” (28:14).Though he had died, Samuel continued to exist.

“Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up” (28:15)? The prophet still had the ability to speak.

Samuel said, “The Lord has done exactly as I prophesied! The Lord has torn the kingdom from your hand and has given it to your neighbor David (28:17). Samuel had memories of what was spoken when he walked the earth, and he was quite aware of what was happening with Saul at that time. 

And then Samuel looked beyond the present and said, “Tomorrow both you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also hand the army of Israel over to the Philistines!” (28:19). The future is known only to God and to those He chooses to reveal it to.  Samuel was with God and in communication with God.  And it all came true just as Samuel predicted. 

Obviously, this was a unique situation that involved the anointed King of God’s chosen people.   Saul was wrong in what he did, but the Lord gave him an audience with Samuel to shut him up.   

So, don’t bother trying to contact your loved one who has moved on. You’ll hear nothing but crickets. 

But there is one thing we can draw from this quirky story: physical death is not the end for the people of God. This privilege is guaranteed to we who trust in Jesus.  Again, He said, “The one who believes in me will live even if he dies.” 

So, listen, if you get to heaven and you happen to find the chip from my credit card – just pitch it out.  I won’t need it because my entry fee has been prepaid by Jesus.

A PRAYER: Lord eternal life will be amazing as we spend it with You

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you always.

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Scripture is quoted from the NETBible ®