Many people are overwhelmed with sadness when someone dies; however I am never in that crowd unless it is evident that the deceased is not a Christian. Yes I will grieve when a loved one is removed, and even shed some tears for sure, but I realize that I will see them again when it’s my turn to shut my eyes for the last time on this earth.
When I open them in the next life I will see Jesus Christ surrounded by angels. I will hear an angelic choir, and be clothed in beauty that I cannot even imagine. I will be reunited with those who have gone on before me and the glorious celebration that ensues will be something I tell you.
The Bible tells us that “eye has not seen, nor has ear ever heard” the wonderful things that await those who love the Lord. When one truly believes the Bible and understands all that the Lord has promised to His children in the next life, death will be looked upon as something to celebrate to the Christian.
Unfortunately death is a sentence of everlasting separation from God and eternal darkness to those who have not accepted Christ as their Savior and indeed should be dreaded.
I was talking to a friend just yesterday who told me about his nephew who last weekend suddenly died at the young age of 39 leaving a wife and children, ages 4, 6, and 8. Unfortunately my friend has often shared with me that he is “not particularly religious”, and to date has not been receptive when I try to discuss Christ or witness to him.
Understandably he is having a very difficult time coping with this tragedy. He’s even hired a psychiatrist to come in and counsel him and his family. I wish him the best with it, but wish I could get across to him that what the family needs is Jesus Christ, and not a secular psychiatrist.
The Bible assures us that God will draw close to us in times of sorrow. It states that Jesus Christ stands at the door of our hearts and knocks, and awaits our invitation for Him to come into our lives. He alone is capable of providing comfort to us in a meaningful way, but He will not force himself on anyone; He has given us a free spirit to determine for ourselves whether or not we want His love and will ask forgiveness for our sins, and accept Him as our Savior.
The Bible tells us that the righteous cry out and the Lord hears and delivers us out of our troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart. Jesus Christ destroyed death when He willingly gave His life for ours and because of His great sacrifice; we shall be raised up to be with the Lord.
The Bible states that one day we will walk “through the valley of the shadow of death”. We have all heard this chapter in Psalm 23. Did you ever stop and think about why God referred to death as a “shadow” in this verse? Take a moment here to give it some deep reflective thought. Selah…
A shadow is surrounded by light on all sides and its darkness is behind us. Shadows are harmless. The Bible tells us God is light and this means that as we walk through death towards God, our path is going to be brilliantly illuminated by His holy presence.
Conversely think about being surrounded in darkness and being all alone forever in Hell. Those who choose this path with their free spirit will face eternal darkness, and abject loneliness away from the God that they rejected.
Those who choose Jesus will never see darkness and death will be defeated for all of time.
Light or darkness – What is your decision today? Choose your path wisely, because we never know when our end will suddenly descend upon us
Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of
the Lord
Forever.