I have used the words of 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 on countless occasions as I have had opportunity to minister to those in distress, or despair. The passage shares with us the promise of Christ coming to receive His followers to be Him in Heaven. Paul, the preacher God used to pen these words, uses very descriptive language that brings forth powerful imagery in our minds. Images of angels blowing trumpets, clouds dividing, lights shining down from the heavens, and Christ Himself standing on a cloud declaring to all the Saints, “Come Up Here!” (ref: Revelation 4:1). Then, Paul gives us the soothing challenge of verse 18, “Therefore, comfort one another with these words.”
I was reminded of the truth of that little verse again this week as I sat at the funeral of lady who had crossed over death’s chilly waters far sooner than her family and friends would have wished. She was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, but most importantly, a committed follower of Jesus Christ. Her body had been ravaged with pain and sickness the past few years. Her family has faithfully walked alongside of her, loving her, caring for her, praying for her. And through it all, though she experienced all the emotions that we feel as humans, worry, anger, confusion, joy, and sadness, she remained faithful to God and took comfort in her faith.
I sat and listened as the minister shared from the Bible the life and declaration of a man named Job, a man who was completely dedicated to God. Even when he lost his children, his wealth, and his health, Job had his confidence in God. Job declared, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God…” (Job 19: 25-26, NKJV). What a powerful declaration!
As the preacher shared how Job knew that even after his “skin” was destroyed, a reference to death, he still knew that he would see God. As he shared and referenced Jobs’ declaration to the uncompromising faith of the young lady whose body now lay at the front of the church, I then was reminded of the power, the comfort that is granted to us through our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word. As the preacher shared, I turned my eyes to the front pew where the young lady’s parents sat. As the preacher shared how Job, and this young woman, both knew in their heart that they would see God, the mother emphatically nodded her head in agreement! it was a precious sight to behold.
I knew her heart was breaking, but her faith in the promise of eternal life for those who put their trust in Jesus Christ was giving her great comfort. I could not help but simply smile at the comfort that God was giving that precious woman. I am so thankful that God has given us His Word, the Bible. In the pages of the Holy Scriptures, God gives us the words of hope, love, correction, salvation, and eternal life. God gives us words to lead us, warn us, discipline us, and to comfort us.
Praise God for the comfort we have through our faith!
