II Corinthians 5:6-9
“Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.”
Last week I presented a depiction of the entrance into Paradise by a woman named Dee. If, for some reason you did not receive that Daily-E-Votional with the title, “HOMECOMING”, please let me know. That message, along with today’s called “HOMEGOING”, are intended to open our eyes to the reality of life and death of the believer.
Del was sitting in his living room trying to dissect Job1:20-21, for his Bible study next week. “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and he said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.’ ”
He closed his eyes to meditate on what a blow it was when he and Dee had received word that their son had been killed in Iraq. It was a time of deep soul searching to find the meaning of God’s dealing with His children. He was glad that his precious wife that he had married forty years ago was there to help them through the loss.
The doorbell interrupted his reflection. He thought it was strange that Dee would ring the door instead of using her own key. He answered the door and saw a police chaplain standing there with a serious look. When he asked to come in and speak with him, he knew what he was going to say. He was as gentle as possible, but when he informed him that his precious wife had died, Del felt the strength go out of his legs.
The chaplain remained with Del and made calls for him to the other three children. Within thirty minutes Del was surrounded by his children. The pastor also had been notified and came in to pray with the family. Soon the house was filled with friends from the church who shared their love and concern with Del.
It was after midnight before Del was able to slip into his bedroom. As he knelt beside his bed, the tears rolled down his cheeks. He was on his knees for a considerable amount of time. It was then that the Holy Spirit began to use the words of that passage in Job 1, to minister to him. He had poured out his grief, and now it was time to worship the Lord, just as Job had done when he heard that all ten of his children had been killed.
Del knew that there had to be a deeper meaning to all that had just happened. He had seen other people who had lost loved ones and had been so devastated that they could hardly function. In the midst of his pain with the realization that his precious Dee was gone, he turned to God.
“Lord, I want to be Your man. My heart is breaking right now, but I want to be Your living testimony in the face of this terrible loss. I want to be able to be a radiant example of how Your grace is sufficient. Let my words and actions to my family and friends be consistent with Your Word.” Del fell asleep on his knees. It was the sleep of a child who is cradled in the arms of a loving father In fact it was his Heavenly Father!
In those few seconds when he first roused, he thought of the fact that Dee had gone home. It was the home of all of those who have been born again. The pain of his loss was still as great, but he began to visualize her set free from every struggle of this old sin sick world. The thought of it made him homesick for heaven.
While still on his knees he recalled that old hymn written by Luther Bridgers many years ago. Bridgers wife and sons were killed in a house fire while he was away from home preaching in an evangelistic service. In his agony he penned these words;
“There’s within my heart a melody
Jesus whispers sweet and low,
‘Fear not I am with thee,
Peace, be still In all of life’s ebb and flow.’
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest name I know
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.”
When he rose from his knees he knew what he had to do. He had to keep singing and proclaiming the praises of the Lord. He had to become the cheerleader for all who would listen, that from earth’s point of view she was gone, but from heaven’s point of view, she was finally and eternally home!
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing.
- - - Pastor Cecil