Forever with the Lord

“Then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17, ASV).

In the last year I have lost four friends to death. Also, three beloved Christians from church have passed. It is easy to be caught up in grief and despair. However, our Lord Jesus didn’t mean for us to feel that way.

“Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you,” Jesus said in John 14:1-2. We may have a house here, but it will decay and fall in ruins. The house that Jesus has prepared for us will last through eternity. We will be at home with the Lord.

We may be getting old and feeble, but God will give us a new body that will not hurt or impede us. Paul calls the body we now have the “body of our humiliation,” and such it is. But our new body will be glorious, just like Jesus’s body. We will have no more pain, disease, or sorrow. God will wipe away every tear. We will see Jesus as he is, and we will be like him.

Yes, we miss those who have gone on before. But it won’t be long until we are with them again. When Jesus comes, he will bring our loved ones with him, and we shall join them forever. All the pain and suffering we have on this earth should not cause us to lose faith, for there is great joy waiting for us.

Hymn: “Where The Gates Swing Outward Never”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, if we have hope only in this life, we are most to be pitied. Thank you for the promise of a home with You forever.

Donna Wittlif, Denver, Colorado