Rest in Peace?

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever,

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so . . .

Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,

Bound in affliction and irons—

Because they rebelled against the words of God,

And despised the counsel of the Most High,

Therefore He brought down their heart with labor;

They fell down, and there was none to help.

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,

And He saved them out of their distresses.

He brought them out darkness and the shadow of death,

And broke their chains in pieces.

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,

And for His wonderful works to the children of men!”

    Psalm 107: 1-2, 10-15 (NKJV)

An employee in the MSP cafeteria died unexpectedly the other day and there has been an outpouring of

commendation about her, remembering her warm smile and cheerful manner, and relating stories of her kindness. Many of the comments included the phrase “Rest in peace.”  Certainly, if she was a believer, I would rejoice that she is resting in peace with Jesus now.  Of course, only God knows for sure.  But apart from a personal faith in Him, her eternal state is not hopeful---regardless of how nice of a person she was and how well-liked.

Interestingly, in Sunday school this past week, the pastor spoke about grief.  He said that it’s common for people to talk about a person who dies as going to a “better place” or “resting in peace” because it’s too uncomfortable to talk or even think about the alternative.  But hell is a reality.  Fortunately, throughout the Bible, we see illustrations of God using grief for redemptive purposes, and pastor spoke of evangelistic conversations he has had when spending time with those who were grieving.

Death and funerals often bring opportunities to talk to the surviving family and friends about faith, maybe not right away but after the reality of the loss has set in.  We who are the redeemed of the Lord should speak of His abundant grace and rich mercy in saving us.  And when anyone cries out to the Lord, He will save them too and bring them out of darkness and the shadow of death.  That’s an amazing truth to share with someone who is grieving and bring them real comfort and hope.

War

Revelation 12:7-9

7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

To start today, I want to thank all of you that are Veterans!  War is not a new concept.  Even back to the old testament we can read about wars.  The wars that happen here on earth now, are not something we tend to like to think about.  As Americans, we have had it much better than some, thanks to those who serve our country. 

We often do not think about a war having taken place in Heaven though.  In Revelation 12, we see that there was a war.  Michael and his angels fought the dragon and his angels.  The dragon lot and was cast out of Heaven, sent to earth.  This dragon, also known as Satan now fights a war with those on earth, daily.  He battles to bring us to his side and take us away from the Lord. 

Today, along with remembering and thanking the Veterans that have fought for us here on earth, I want to remind you that you are also constantly at war with the devil.  He lost the war in Heaven.  Will he lose the war here on earth as well?  As part of God’s army, we need to continue to battle to save the lives of all of those around us.

God Knows

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And my thoughts than your thoughts.”

    Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV)

“When I consider Your heavens, the work

of Your fingers, the moon and the stars,

which You have ordained, what is man

that You are mindful of him, and the

son of man that You visit him?”

    Psalm 8:3-4 (NKJV)

Looking up at the stars, I feel very small and I’m amazed that God cares for us and loves us so.  When I’m waiting on Him and feel alone, I need to remember this. He hasn’t forgotten me; He’s working out His plan in His time. When I’m filled with uncertainty, it helps to reaffirm His lordship in my life. 

Many times I don’t understand what He does or doesn’t do, but that’s as it should be because His ways and His thoughts are not ours.  So when I’m walking down that road and I don’t know what’s ahead, I need to trust that He loves me and will show me the way.  When the way seems dark and I don’t know what to do, I need to put my hand in His and depend on Him to lead me one step at a time.

God understands perfectly all that I don’t know. He know the answers to all my whys. Nothing comes as a surprise to God because He is sovereign. There is peace and comfort when I rest in His will and depend fully on Him, even when I don’t understand.