Job 19:25-27
“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”
It seems like every time I officiate at a funeral service I notice something unusual. In the past two days, Saturday and Sunday, I held services that were unique. I have encountered these situations before, but not two in a row.
The situation that I am referring to is that the surviving mate of each deceased man was not able to attend the service because of Alzheimer’s disease. Both couples had been married over fifty years and were totally devoted to each other, but the mental acuity faded.
The daughter of one of these ladies told me that her mother thought her dad had just stepped out to go to the store—even though he had been dead for well over a week. He was still close in her clouded mind even though he had departed.
These old bodies of ours are on a one-way street to decay. Face lifts, body tucks, diets, exercise programs and the like may play a delaying game, but the reality is that we are going to see things go “south” that should stay put!
Before my mother went to be with the Lord she was only a shadow of her former self. Her weight had shrunk to just over seventy pounds. This little woman who was always so capable in her productive years had come to the place where she had to rely upon others to meet her needs.
That description may appear to be pessimistic and depressing except for one major truth. This world is not my mom’s home. She had a new home waiting for her in glory and loved ones eagerly expectantly prepared to welcome her home with shouts of glory!
All too often we focus our attention on the things of this world and forget the true glories which await us. It is beyond our understanding to fully comprehend eternity, but by faith we are able to grasp a glimpse of our eternal reward. In Ephesians 2:6 we are struck with an awesome reality: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.”
Wow! I hope that statement rattles your cage as much as it did mine. This is a completed work. It says that we are seated with Christ. We have a home in glory which outshines the sun. This vale of tears through which we are now traveling is only a temporary place.
When we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and turn from our wicked ways to follow Him, we become citizens of a new world. From that moment on we can sing with gladness the words of that old song: “This world is not my home, I’m just passing through. My treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue!”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil