January 19, 2023 – Thursday
1 Thessalonians 4:13 NIV
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
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A belated Wednesday’s Verse of the Day went out earlier tonight because we spent most of the evening last night at the hospital Sharon’s Mother, also my Mother for the past 51 years. This is her third trip to the hospital this year and the year is young.
As might be expected we are fearful of her dying as we would like to have her around longer. Whether it be for a few months or a few years. She is 91, almost 92. What keeps us from grieving with our fear is knowing that when she dies, she will be with Jesus. We are not uninformed as the verse above states. Instead, whenever we have discussed what will happen when she dies, she always takes her right hand and with her forefinger points up and says, “I am going there.” She is a woman of faith, and we have great confidence she will be with Jesus when she dies.
Paul did not want the Thessalonians to grieve like the rest of mankind who have no hope when it came to those who sleep in death. And it’s not just Paul, in Proverbs 14:32 we read, When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God. Even at death or as Paul wrote in verse 14, For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. When Mom falls asleep, she will be asleep in Him.
And like Job said in chapter 19, 25 “But I know that my Redeemer lives, that in the end he will rise on the dust; 26 so that after my skin has been thus destroyed, then even without my flesh, I will see God. 27 I will see him for myself, my eyes, not someone else’s, will behold him. My heart grows weak inside me! If Mom had the vocabulary, those could be her words as well.
Bottom Line: Whenever Mom dies we know where she is headed and we know we will see her once again.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving us the knowledge although we will deeply miss loved ones, we know they will be with You and Your Son. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek