It is a fearful thing when death or sudden illness strikes and we are left alone to somehow fend for ourselves. It is a time we remember what Isaiah said, "All men are like grass...the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever" (Isa.40:6-8).
At times like this, our response will depend on whether or not we believe what God has told us in His Word, the Bible. Have we been storing it up as Jesus told us to (Matt.6:19-20)? If so, then at this terrible moment we will have the fortitude to stand firm and know we can make it.
The Bible promises that if we call upon the name of the Lord when in trouble, He will answer us (Ps.91:15). He will be there to comfort and uphold us.
The Apostle Paul explains that "if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built with human hands...it is God who HAS MADE US FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come" (II Cor.5:1-5 NIV).
We were created by God for a purpose, the purpose being that He wants us to grow in spiritual stature so that we can live forever with Him. When we allow Jesus into our hearts, He then puts into our bodies a special warm flooding of His Spirit which only those who have felt it can understand. Paul speaks of this as a `guarantee' of what is to come later; it is an assurance of eternal life! If this special warmth is with us and we know it comes from God, then it stands to reason He will not leave us when our casket lid closes over us.
We all know that a guarantee is given to assure us that the item we have purchased is all it professes to be, and that it will operate according to the instructions. Because Jesus gave us His Spirit when we were born into His family, "we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure"(Heb. 6:19 NIV).
Jesus said "if you love me, keep my commandments, and I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you forever"(John 14:15). Forever. Not only until death, but forever! What a beautiful promise!
Long before Jesus' birth, God had cared for and comforted the Jewish people. He spoke through Isaiah. "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you" (Isa. 66:13). Moses also was comforted, "My presence will go with you and I will give you rest" (Exod. 34:14).
If the people chosen by God, the Jewish people, found comfort long before the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, how much more comfort is ours since Jesus left His own Spirit to live IN us (John 17:23) to guarantee His presence! What more can He do? Paul said, "Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you" (II Cor. 13:11 NIV).
As we face the crises in life, we fathom the reality of the fact that man with his humanistic beliefs has absolutely nothing to offer to bring us comfort. Such beliefs lead to depressive illness and loss of hope for the future.
Many people have the false notion that those who profess to be Christian must lead a dull life. On the contrary, those who have truly fought for their faith are the happiest people in the world. They are happy because they do have hope for tomorrow!
© 1999, Doreen Palmer