We often say, "I'm dying …
to go to the mall" (or for some ice cream, or for a new dress, etc). No
one ever says, "I'm dying to go to Heaven."
When we are ill, regardless of
our age, we spend exorbitant amounts of money and time devoted to living. We
applaud one another, saying, "She fought hard to live."
When a person decides to allow
their body to die, we say, "Oh, he just gave up" or "She had no
more will to live." We view life as the ultimate prize to be battled for
above all else.
Yet, death is a Christian's privilege
(Philippians 1:21). The death of God's Saints is precious in His sight (Psalm
116:15). We leave this temporal realm and enter into His eternal realm forever.
God made all of the intricate
parts of our body, knitting them together in our mother's womb. Our body, soul
and spirit are wondrously complex and God's workmanship in us is marvelous
(Psalm 139:13-15).
Since God does not dwell in time,
He saw us before we were ever born and laid out every moment of our life before
we even lived one day of it (Psalm 139:16).
God views the day of our death as
better than the day of our birth (Ecclesiastes 7:1). He sends us an angel escort to bring our soul
and spirit into His presence (Luke 16:22).
His Saints will never die again,
but live eternally in the same respect as the angels. We are children of the
Living God, raised from death into true life (Luke 20:36).
God is our guide through death
and forever and ever (Psalm 48:14). Even in death, He gives the righteous His
refuge (Proverbs 14:32). When we die, our real life is just beginning.
Prayer:
Father God, remind us that when
we are ill, rather than dreading death or fighting it, our body, soul and
spirit can be filled with joy. You do not leave us in the grave. You allow us
to experience the joys of life, and then bring us into the peace and joy of Your
eternal presence (Psalm 16:9-11).
We can confidently say that when
we leave this mortal body, we shall be in Your glorious presence (2 Corinthians
5:8). We simply fold up this earthly tent, and then our soul and spirit go to
Your house (2 Corinthians 5:1). Thank You, that at the coming of Your Son, we
will leave our corruptible body behind and put on our immortal body to serve
You for eternity (1 Corinthians 15:53-54).
Thought for the Day:
God is a refuge for the poor and oppressed in our times of trouble; we trust in Him because He never forsakes anyone who humbly seeks Him, not even in death. - Psalm 9:9-10
God is a refuge for the poor and oppressed in our times of trouble; we trust in Him because He never forsakes anyone who humbly seeks Him, not even in death. - Psalm 9:9-10
