I don’t mean to sound morbid, but I have been thinking about heaven a lot lately. You? I have been forced to do it. This Friday I will be doing the funeral service for David and Helen Jenkins. David went to be with Jesus a week ago this past Sunday and and Helen joined him in heaven two days ago. On Monday of next week, I will be doing the graveside service for Jimmy Johnson who went to be with Jesus back in February. All three of these people are from our church and in a matter of a little over two months, all three of them are now in heaven. Another friend of mine who was in a small group with me at our previous church also went to heaven a little over a month ago. My parents are in heaven. My father-in-law is in heaven. I have several friends who are already in heaven too. Robbi and I were just talking about several people who have recently left us and gone to heaven and the number is steadily increasing. Perhaps the thought of heaven and what needs to happen for you to get there scares you. The Bible tells us in Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. As we continue to get news of the death of a friend, family member, or loved one we tend to ask “what is going on?” Job 12:10 tells us that In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 33:4 says The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Are you getting this? Do you believe this? Are you okay with this? In fact, Psalm 115:3 tells us: Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him. These verses indicate to me that God is at work. God is doing something, and it is all about Him! Are you okay with that?
Is His desire to make us miserable? In John 17:24 Jesus is talking to His Heavenly Father and He says this: Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory. If you are a follower of Jesus; if you are a born again believer; if you are a child of God; if you are a Christian; Jesus wants you to be with Him and He wants you and me to see His glory. In order for you and me to be with Jesus, unless He returns soon, we will have to die. That can be scary when you think about it, but if you are a believer, know this. The very moment that you draw your last breath here on this earth, your very next breath that you take, you will take in the presence of Jesus in heaven.
Charles Spurgeon wrote the following in a devotional that I just read yesterday: “Stop fearing death! Ask God the Holy Spirit to grant you an intimate knowledge and a firm belief in your Redeemer’s death, so that you may be strengthened for that journey. It is blessed to die in the Lord: It is a covenant blessing to sleep in Jesus. Death is no longer banishment; it is a return from exile, a going home to the many mansions where the loved ones are already living. The distance between glorified spirits in heaven and militant saints on earth seems great; but it is not. We are not far from home—a moment will bring us there. When the eyes close on earth, they open in heaven.”
Please know that there is nothing wrong with grieving. There would be something wrong if you did not grieve, but remember that we do not grieve like those who have no hope. We will be with the LORD forever. Forever! Now, please pray for one another, be encouraged, and then go and encourage someone else with these truths from the Word of God. (1Thessalonians 4:13-18)
Blessings,
Jerry