One day, death will come to the best of us, no matter what we try to do to stop it. Our spirits will return to God who formed us. As God created us from the dust of the earth and put our spirits in us, in death, our bodies will return to the earth, while our spirits will go back to God. As Solomon said, “then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7) When this day happens, all our plans are immediately stopped, and now people that love us have to learn how to live this life without us now, which can very difficult. As David said, “his breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” (Psalm 146:4) But praise God for those who had their hope in the Lord at this time. For they have no worries in death. This is because we are going to a better place, even a paradise where Jesus will also be. It was this that Jesus told the other man on the cross, who accepted him as Lord. “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) I don’t know about you, but the word paradise sounds pretty nice to me. And if you can just imagine a place on earth that would be your paradise, then times that 1000%. For what God gives us always far exceeds what we ever wanted in this life. It will be oh so beautiful and we shall ever be at peace.
Although death is a real thing that will happen to the best of us, we need to plan for it now. And how do we plan? People may think of funerals, obituaries, wills, future expenses, and what we will do after the fact, but this is not what I am talking about. I am talking about preparing to meet God. This is what will matter in the end, if paradise awaits us or not. Those in Christ are saved and this means so much more than we could ever imagine come death. This is because, as Paul said, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1) He is speaking of mansions that are prepared for each of God’s beloved children in heaven. This is where “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) And then we can rest from our earthly labors and enjoy eternity with God, angels, other believers, and family and friends who are there. Lastly, John wrote, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” (Revelation 14:13) This promise is for each person who believes in and follows Jesus. He will lead you safely home in heaven above.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will understand how much You so desire for us to enter Your kingdom when we die. As You promised, there are mansions for those people who trust in You in this life. And I can’t believe how short this life really is. It seems like yesterday that I was so young and was being brought up by two wonderful parents in my dad and my mom, but now as I am older, they are both gone and passed away. It is so sad, God, to see people I love, pass on to the grave, especially my mother, who recently died yesterday. It was a sad day for sure and many tears were shed, but one thing I know is that people who truly loved You in this life, have nothing to fear in the next. Do I know that my mother is saved and is with You now in paradise? I do not, but pray that You saw her heart for You, Jesus. You saw all those times she prayed and earnestly sought You in this life. During my visits to see her, I shared the gospel with her, and she did respond favorably to it. I am so happy she even went to some Bible studies with me during those years in the assisted living facility. Thank You, Lord, for opening her heart to give that a chance and to trust in You even more than ever before. Even in those last moments that I was with her, I read from Your Word, the Bible, about the abundant peace that awaits every believer in heaven. How there are mansions up there and no more sorrow, death, or pain. I pray that she was comforted in those last moments by these words. Certainly, there is salvation from Your hands alone and not any religion on earth. Therefore, I come to You daily as Your son who believes in and loves You with all his heart. Amen.
