Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:26 "The last enemy that will be abolished is death."

Ecclesiastes 3:1,2 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die."

Isaiah 57:1,2 "The good men perish; the godly die before their time and no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to realize that God is taking them away from evil days ahead. For the godly who die shall rest in peace."

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."

Message

We get confused when bad things happen to seemingly good Christian people. We ask, "Why them, why anyone?" It is because we live in a fallen world and sin abounds. It goes back to the fall of Adam and Eve. Because Satan is the prince of the power of the air, and the world we live in is his Kingdom. If you have lost someone dear and precious to your heart, it is right for you to weep, but do not despair. "Blessed are those who mourn; for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4.) A mother's arms are empty, a husband's bed is lonely, a child's heart is aching. How can you ever live without them? And why would you want to? Why, because when it is cold here on earth you can take comfort in knowing that your precious loved one is in the warm arms of Our Father. You may wonder why God took them home, but they don't. Not anymore. They no longer feel the pain. No one can ever hurt them again. They are safe at home where they belong, in heaven where there are no tears, no diseases, no pain or suffering, no accidents, no death.

Heaven is a beauty unknown to man. Yet, God has blessed us with His creation here on earth, which is just a sample of the glories He has for us in heaven. The majestic sky as it explodes in an array of colors after a storm. The autumn leaves as they fall from the trees that line the sidewalks and streets. The roar of the oceans all over the world, pounding the sands and spraying a mist high into the sky, as it makes an incredibly beautiful rainbow. Heaven is that and so much more. We can only imagine the beauty it beholds. Is there any other place we would want our precious loved ones to be? If not here with us, then let them be with God who loves them even more than we do.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I am on my knees to you this day. My loss is indescribable. The pain in my heart is unbearable. I need you desperately, Father. Help me get through these next few days, weeks and months and send to me a peace beyond all understanding. You are holding my heart, God. Help me through this incredibly painful journey and let me believe that one day I might even smile again. I know someday that we, as Christians, will all be together again in Your house. But until then, Father, please let my pain be brief and the precious memories last forever. Thank you for Your mercy and Your grace. In the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.