Monday, July 1, 2013
By: Gwen Hitt
Together Forever
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
My five-year granddaughter tearfully told me last night that she was very sad. When I asked her why, she replied, "I am sad because I don't want you to die and go to Heaven." (She has been shaken by the recent loss of her great-grandmother.)
I immediately knew that it was crucial for me to change her perception of Heaven. Revelation 21:4 paints a beautiful picture of what is awaiting us in Heaven - "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain...." I shared with her this wonderful aspect of Heaven so that she would not associate it solely with separation.
I explained that Heaven is a place to look forward to IF we believe in Jesus. I also shared that it is a place where we will live forever and will be reunited with others who have gone ahead of us.
I was able to confidently convey the truth that we will see each other again based on evidence found in God's Word.
In 2 Samuel 12:23, David shares that he would one day be reunited with his deceased son, "....I SHALL go to him, but he will not return to me."
In Matthew 17:3, Apostles Peter, James, and John were granted a great privilege by Jesus - "Just then there APPEARED before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus."
In Luke 24:30-31, Jesus reveals His identity to His followers after His death and resurrection, "When He was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they RECOGNIZED Him...."
My challenge to you today is to share the saving message of Jesus Christ with your family. By doing so, we can face eternity with confidence that we WILL be reunited with the ones we love. I love Joshua's bold stance found in Joshua 24:15. He said, "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
