(From our church-wide devotion book at Pinedale Christian Church, "You 2.0")
People often asked me, “How can you sing at funerals?” Usually, I quip back to them, “Well, they don’t ask me to cook!” Seriously, when the deceased is a Christian, it is an honor and privilege. The word of God is full of passages that deal with death, Heaven, and God’s presence throughout life. The lyrics of old hymns and contemporary music have the ability to transport us out of fear and dread and into a peaceful, even grateful state of mind.
I’ve had the blessing of growing up in a home where our parents never shielded us from death. I’d like to tell you that I’ve always understood the passage above (1 Corinthians 15). But after years of funerals for family members, mentors in the faith, and close friends, my understanding has matured into a calm anticipation and a frequent request for “Sooner than later... “
Even if I can’t understand everything about our next home, I know enough to know that I don’t need to fear it. I was made for it!
As you try to comprehend what God teaches about Heaven, here are some things that have helped me. First, some powerful thoughts from a devotional Experiencing God Day by Day, by Henry & Richard Blackaby: “The reality of the resurrection is that death has been defeated... He conquered death completely; now He assures His followers that we, too, will share in His victory. ...Death can temporarily remove us from those we love, but it transfers us into the presence of the One who loves us most... Death, our greatest enemy, is nothing more than the vehicle that enables believers to experience God’s glory....Death will one day be the door by which you gain access to all that is yours in Heaven.”
My response to these words was documented a year or two ago – “I believe this will all my heart. At times I desire it. But You, Lord Jesus, know the plans you have for me.”
Max Lucado’s book, Come Thirsty, challenged me several years ago with these thoughts: “Dread of death ends when you know Heaven is your true home.... Why don’t you do this: give God your death. Imagine your last breath, envision your final minutes, and offer them to him. Deliberately. Regularly. Lord, I receive your work on the cross and in your resurrection. I entrust you with my departure from earth.”
THERE ARE SO MANY SCRIPTURES THAT ENCOURAGE ME:
Hebrews 2:14-15: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too sharedin their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”
2 Timothy 1:10: “...but it (God’s grace) has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
Psalm 116:15: “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”
Job 21: 23-26: “One man dies in full vigor, completely secure and at ease, his body well nourished, his bones rich with marrow. Another man dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good. Side by side they lie in the dust and worms cover them both. [or as translated by The Message – Some people die in the prime of life, with everything going for them—fat and sassy. Others die bitter and bereft, never getting a taste of happiness. They’re laid out side by side in the cemetery, where the worms can’t tell one from the other.]”
Finally, here is a song that means so much to me:
FINALLY HOME
Stanzas & music by Don Wyrtzen, chorus by L.E. Singer; chorus of O That Will Be Glory by Charles Gabriel
When engulfed by the terror of tempestuous sea, unknown waves before you roll;
At the end of doubt and peril is eternity though fear and conflict seize your soul
Chorus:
But just think of stepping on shore and finding it Heaven!Of touching a hand and finding it God’s! Of breathing new air and finding it celestial!
Of waking up in glory and finding it home!
When surrounded by the blackness of the darkest night, O how lonely death can be;At the end of this long tunnel is a shining light for death is swallowed up in victory!
Chorus: (repeated)
O that will be glory for me, glory for me, glory for me!When by His grace I shall look on His face
That will be glory, be glory for me!
(Con't)