Romans 5:8-9
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!”
It was just a little after 6:00 a.m. this morning when the phone rang. Have you noticed that when the phone rings at an odd hour that it usually is news that you are not anxious to hear? This time it was my nephew, Jay, giving us the news that my brother, Harold, had gone to be with the Lord. We knew that it was coming, but had anticipated at least a few weeks rather than just a few hours.
I had called his hospital room yesterday afternoon to suggest that I fly over to Boise to see him, but Harold said to wait until he had been moved to the care center. I had no idea that when we said “good-bye” on the phone that those would be the last words I would share with my brother this side of heaven.
Many of you have sent words of encouragement since I mentioned Harold’s diagnosis in Monday’s E-Votional. I so appreciate your love and concern for our family. This is the time to demonstrate that God’s Word provides instruction about how we as Christians should react to the loss of those who have gone to be with the Lord. Harold knew and loved the Lord, so we are confident that he is with the Lord right now.
Back in 1966 I stepped onto a plane that took me to the Northern tip of Newfoundland. I was assigned to a remote radar site and knew that I would be separated from home and family for the next 12 months. I did not relish the separation, but I knew that there would be a great reunion when I came back home after the tour of duty had ended. That is exactly what happened! What a time of rejoicing we had when we all were together once more.
That is exactly what will happen when the Lord returns and all of the saints are reunited for eternity. Think about it ― no more sorrow, no more pain, no more separation, no more confusion ― no more anything that causes us to experience turmoil of any kind. To me that means we are to trust God’s Word rather than our feelings. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Consider the apostle Paul’s confident instructions that are found in I Thessalonians 4:13: “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.”
How do we grasp this concept of hope and joy? The answer is in yesterday’s E-Votional. Proverbs 3:5 says; “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Let’s do that!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil