John 3:16 (NKJV) 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
My 86 year old Dad passed away last week. He was a strong believer in Jesus Christ!
I laid on the bed beside him and watched him take his last breath. He had liver cancer and was fading quickly.
Toward the end, he realized and said to me, after struggling to breathe, “I can’t beat it this time”.
It was sad to hear these words from him. But at the same time, I was happy for his sake. He knew it was time to go.
I said, “it’s OK Dad, you don’t have to beat it”. I said, “I love you”. And he mustered up the strength and said, “I love you too.”
He was a fighter. But the fight was over and it was time for him to rest in God’s arms. It was his time to go home.
I know many of you have lost loved ones. And you are hurting from their absence. You feel that you would do anything to have them back right now. I know this feeling.
But, remember how blessed we are to have a wonderful Heavenly Father that holds our dear ones in His arms.
It’s not like we don’t know where they are. Jesus said to the thief on the cross, today you will be with me in paradise. For that I am ever so grateful!
Luke 23:43 (NKJV) 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
We can’t have them back. And, no, we will not interact with them here on earth again.
But God will give us peace to live on without them. And some day we will be together with them in Heaven, if we and they have put our faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Today, if you suffer from the emptiness of the loss of a loved one, let God fill you with His comfort, His healing and His strength.
I’m telling you, without Him I would be so hollow. But with Him I am full.
He gives me the strength to go on. He gives me the stability to keep on keeping on through life’s difficulties.
Lean on His everlasting arms and He will give you what you need today.
Amen.
