Isaiah 57:2
For those who follow godly paths
will rest in peace when they die.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This week, I attended the funeral of my childhood friend Kenny. At his funeral, the pastor noted that we all know death is inevitable… but we don’t expect the sudden death of someone 55 years young. He shared stories about my friend and told of his earlier life when he was healthy, energetic and enthused… completely engaged in life. In later years, health issues caused Kenny to become reclusive… even paranoid. At the time of his death, Kenny had isolated himself so completely from everyone except his mother, brother and immediate family that his brother said, “He really had no close friends.” Many of his classmates, childhood friends and acquaintances came to his funeral…giving testimony to the person we all knew and loved - the healthy guy who once made us laugh and smile.
There was one more story that the pastor related… the most important story of all, really. He told of how a church member went out on weekly visitation ministry one evening and happened to stop in to visit with Kenny. There, he shared the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ and how He died on the cross for our sins. Kenny invited Jesus to be the LORD of his life. Talk about a “game changer!”
As I thought about my friend and his life - and death - I couldn’t help but feel a tremendous sense of tranquility. I know he is no longer tormented. I know that he is at HOME and has found rest and complete peace at the feet of Jesus. I fully understand that sometimes our healing and reconciliation comes in death.
If you are a young person reading this devotional, death may not be on your radar screen. We all seem to have a sense of immortality in our early years. We don’t want to consider death… and we figure we have lots and lots of years ahead of us before we have to consider it. Then someone we know and love dies… a grandparent or a parent…another family member… a close friend… or even a celebrity we admired. Suddenly, we are distraught, frightened, confused… and totally disheartened. We don’t know what to make of it all… and we start to think about our own lives… and deaths.
Even if you are a Christian, this may be a daunting thought for you. If you have been to more than one funeral, you have probably heard the pastor read from John 14, where Jesus tells us there are “many mansions” in His house… and He is preparing a place for each of us. You may be thinking… “Yeah… but I’m doing just fine right here on earth! I don’t really need a mansion!” Or you may have fear and dread about leaving your family and friends behind.
Please read the words of Isaiah 57:2 again. Those who follow Godly paths will rest in peace. I cannot tell you exactly when I made the switch from thinking of heaven as an intimidating place to one of tremendous peace and joy. It probably began more than 20 years ago, when my grandfather - and then my father-in-law – died suddenly. As I watched other beloved family members and friends suffer with debilitating diseases or the rigors of aging, I began to see what a relief death would be for them. It wasn’t long until I realized that many of us have a large number of loved ones waiting for us in heaven… already enjoying the blessings and rewards God promised them through Jesus Christ.
Yesterday I shared scripture from Isaiah about the hills singing and the trees clapping as we pass by. My mother told me that this is how she pictures heaven. As we arrive, hills will sing, trees will clap… and those who went before us will open their arms widely to embrace us with a “We’re so glad you’re here… you’re gonna love this place!” My sweet childhood friend, Kenny, will be among them.
I feel like someone reading this today needs to hear about the peace of heaven. If you are not that person… you could be in any given moment. I pray you will come to think of Paradise as not only a “friendly place”… but your destination for ultimate peace and joy. As you grieve and mourn the passing of loved ones who you miss dearly, think of them in complete bliss… healthy, whole, abundantly blessed, and continually in the presence of Jesus. Enjoy your earthly life… but look forward to the day you can join them and experience eternal peace.
If you have not yet offered Jesus your heart, as my friend did one evening, I pray that you will do so. Secure your place on the “waiting list” for heaven. Start making preparations for your “move” by living for Jesus every single day you are placed on this earth. Get so comfortable in your relationship with God that you anticipate the moment when the hills will sing for you and the trees will clap… and you will rest forever in His peace.
©2013 Debbie Robus
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