Be Not Fearful of Death

    Our Lord has been pleased to call away to glory several of our dear people. No words of mine can make these trials easier, dry your tears, nor dispel your loneliness; but perhaps I can remind you of some things which we all believe and know, and these truths can serve as a foundation of comfort.

    Our loved ones are with Christ in glory! They would not return to this world, even if they could.

    Our loved ones are now perfect in body and soul. They have no more sin, no more pain, no tears, no sorrow. They are fully complete and satisfied with his likeness.

    Our loved ones have no unpleasant memories nor even thoughts about life on this earth. "For the former things are passed away and God makes all things new!" No regrets, no remorse in glory, no memory of unhappiness.

    Our loved ones would not have you grieve for them, but rather rejoice in their graduation and victory! To die is gain and glory. Their trials and tribulations are over!

    There is no time in glory. Days and years have only to do with us, not them. My son did not go to glory 34 years ago, nor my daughter 8 years ago; they went there today! It is always today, now in his presence; we will go there today.

    Our loved ones are away for the present! And while memories of them are sweet and will linger all our lives on earth, we speak of them often! Yet, we have a life to live, our God to glorify, and others to love, serve, and encourage. We cannot do this and live in the past. Paul said, "Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before." I cannot change what is over, but I can do much with what is before me, by the grace of God! Take up your father's mantle, your mother's faithfulness, your brother's generosity, and your sister's compassion; "and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

"When shall the day appear, dear Lord,

That I shall be called to dwell above,

And stand and bow among them there,

And view thy face, and sing thy love?"