Fear Nothing

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, 

for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

Psalm 23:4

On his deathbed, British preacher Charles Simeon smiled brightly and asked the people gathered in his room, "What do you think especially gives me comfort at this time?" When they all remained silent, he exclaimed, "The creation! I ask myself, 'Did Jehovah create the world or did I?' He did! Now if He made the world and all the rolling spheres of the universe, He certainly can take care of me. Into Jesus' hands I can safely commit my spirit!" Simeon rested in the truth that even in death's shadow the Christian has nothing to fear. Jesus has promised never to leave us (Matthew 28:20). Nothing can separate us from Him. The Apostle Paul wrote:  "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)  Fear nothing. Jesus is with you.

Natural Grief

"Precious in the sight of the Lord 

Is the death of His godly ones."

Psalm 116:15

For the Christian, death is a doorway to eternal life with Christ in Heaven. The Lord rejoices to have His child finally come home. In that knowledge the loved ones left behind on earth can take comfort. But it is still a loss for the survivors, and it is natural and right for them to grieve. Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus, even though He knew in a few minutes He would raise Lazarus from the dead. If you know another Christian who is mourning the death of someone close to them, go and comfort them in their grief. Help the Lord mend their broken heart with your compassion and love. 

The Jesus I Know

"When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said to Him, 'Lord, come and see.'  Jesus wept." John 11:33-35 Jesus' friend Lazarus has died. Mary and Martha, sisters of Lazarus, have summoned Jesus to come. They know He can raise Lazarus from the dead, and of course He does. A miracle that brings glory to God. It's a moving story, beginning with the first moment when Mary approaches Him. She is wailing, as are the Jews around her. Scripture tells us that Jesus was "deeply moved in spirit and troubled". In the original language the implication is that Jesus was angry in spirit and very agitated. But angry and agitated by what? Some suggest that the wailing of the people showed their lack of faith and that this upset Jesus. But two verses later He is weeping. Not wailing as the others, but weeping softly as in shedding tears. This doesn't sound like the Lord was angry at the people. Another suggestion is that Jesus was angry at death and the grief that death causes. And that He wept, not because Lazarus was dead -- for He knew that Lazarus would soon be resurrected at His hand -- but out of His compassion for the mourners.  The second interpretation seems more plausible to me. The Jesus I know detests the idea of death and decay. That's why He came to earth to save us, His life not sparing. And the Jesus I know is filled with compassion for the hurting and seeks to comfort those who mourn.

No Sting in Death

"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."

1 Corinthians 15:56-58

A friend reminded me today that we are blessed "because we are saved". So true. There will come a time when each of us will breathe our last breath. For those who have received Christ as their Savior, there will be no sting in death, but only a victorious celebration in the presence of our Lord. For this reason, we will stand firm in our faith and never stop serving the Lord Jesus. A time is coming, dear ones, when we will receive the reward of faithful service. Our toil is not in vain. Thanks be to God.