I answered my cell phone and immediately knew something was wrong. My wife’s voice was cracking and sobs were being held back but not quite enough. I asked her what was wrong and then she told me it was my brother, he was dead. I slumped down a little and whispered, “How did it happen?”
It only got worse as she told me he had taken his own life. I was in an airport in Chicago stuck in horrible weather. All the flights had been cancelled but one and that flight was delayed and we were being told that it would likely be cancelled too. We waited until about three in the morning and they cleared it to take off. We caught the very last plane out of stormy windy Chicago that night.
As we flew along through the dark of the night heading home to Atlanta, I thought about my brother and our childhood. We had been through much together and had endured some good times, but it seemed we had seen more than our fair share of sorrow and tragedy in our lives. His life was over now, but this was the absolute worst thing that ever had happened to me and as we flew through the night I prayed to God for help in getting through the days ahead. I wondered if there was anything I could have done to prevent this and of course I blamed myself for not doing more to help him with his depression.
I found out later that it is very common for the families of suicide victims to blame themselves for the tragedy. In reality it is those that we wish to help the most that seem to reject that help the most. My brother was no exception he rejected all who loved him as he fought through his painful and tortured existence. He would often lash out at all who tried to help him like a crazed pit bulldog and towards the end he had very few if any friends. In fact, his funeral was especially sad because no one attended aside from family. It was my faith in God that got me through those dark and difficult days. It hurt! It still hurts!
I am very happy that eternity will not be filled with dark days and tragic events. Satan will be far removed and sin will not even exist. All of our sorrow and sadness comes from sin in one way or another and sin will eventually be confined to Hell where the torment associated with it will continue forever. I really feel sorry for those who face Hell.
I see friends and acquaintances of mine rocking along with little concern for God and/or the hereafter as if they will live forever. The Bible tells us that there is a time appointed to everyone to die and after that the judgment. It tells us we should think of our own death often and if more people would do so, undoubtedly more people would be in church every Sunday and studying their Bibles daily.
At the judgment one of two things will happen; either the precious blood of Jesus will cover our sins and God will look at us as having our sins forgiven, or we will be all alone and every sin ever committed will be exposed and we will face judgment and a righteous holy God who is determined that all sin must be punished.
I shudder to think what that might be like and am glad that Jesus took my punishment for all of the sins committed by me and will be standing with me to protect me from God’s eternal damnation. I will be taken to a beautiful mansion that I do not deserve, but greatly appreciate. The rest of eternity I will enjoy a sin-free existence, peace, joy, and incredible happiness.
With so much on the line one would think that folks would pay more attention to God and His Son Jesus and God’s message of forgiveness that is available free of charge to those who would accept His wonderful gracious gift. Alas it is just business as usual as most of us muddle away our time inching closer and closer to our own appointment with death without much thought being given to God and that day when we will kneel before God almighty creator of all.
2 Cor.15:9
So we aspire to please Him, whether we are here in this body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well . . .
August 31 2016 – Click here to listen