A Christian's Comfort



Tomorrow it will be three weeks since my father-in-law's death and 14 years since my father's, with other family members having passed away in between them--one of my aunts in 2000, my husband's grandmother in 2005, one of my uncles in 2005, another of my uncles this year. They ranged in age from 72-102.

When and why does a Christian die?

A Christian's death comes when he has completed the tasks

His Lord asks--

And then comes the rest

And then comes the glory

And then comes the seeing

And death is the means

To life in its fullness for

Life is being with and like Christ.



Death comes, death claims, death alters our lives

And yet

And yet the alteration experienced by believers

Far outweighs any sorrow they know with

The eternal weight of glory of which Paul wrote,

One "far beyond all comparison ... the things which are not seen are eternal" [2 Cor. 4:17-18]

So

Some day, reunited, we will be delighted, as

Neither death not time shall be any more,

We all pass through heaven's door.

COMFORT

Three weeks ago we headed from California to Iowa -- driving. We did not know if Garry's Dad would still be alive when we arrived, but then, too, we trusted God. A week ago we were still in Iowa, having seen Garry's Dad and been with his Mom when word came of his Dad's homegoing. And a week ago many remembered another Tuesday of another year, and wondered what future Tuesdays might hold. What follow are entries from my diary this year:

What He plans, He performs, perfects, protects. Isaiah 41:9b,10: "You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God: I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Psalm 33:8-11: "Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded and it stood firm. The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of his heart to all generations." Psalm 34:1,4: "I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 75:6,7: "For not from the east or from the west, and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who exalts judgement, putting down one and lifting up another." Deuteronomy 29:29: "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." Psalm 120:1: "In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me." Psalm 121:2: "My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth." John 16:33: "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." [all Bible references from the ESV]

Another post from Iowa re journey mercies
Last Wednesday morning, my father-in-law went home to his Lord and ours, having completed his journey from this life to the next. His passing was so peaceful that even my sister-in-law Linda, who had spent the night in his room at the hospice, was not sure right away that he had passed on. It was one of those instances where we knew his life was ending, yet were surprised when it did end. I think this passage sums up well the last days of his earthly life:
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen [1 Peter 5:10-11, ESV].
And for my dear mother-in-law, especially as of last Wednesday morning, this promise from God: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" [Hebrews 13:5-6, ESV]

Journey Mercies


We are visiting my father-in-law who is in a hospice house in Iowa. In fact, this is being written from there.

Before we left we asked prayer for journey mercies--i.e. safety as we undertook this trip from California.

I have come to understand the expression "journey mercies" to mean something else since arriving here, and pray for journey mercies for my father-in-law and all others on the same final trip from this life to the next, as well as for those who see them off but cannot accompany them.