For: Dad

The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessaloniki because he did not want them to be uninformed about those who are asleep in Christ, so that those left behind may not grieve as others do who have no hope.  In the same spirit I would like to inform those of us who are left behind of the eternal inheritance my father has been ushered into.  We read the promise in 1 Corinthians 15 that states “Death is swallowed up in victory.” And we are told that there is no longer a sting associated with the grave.  We know that the sting of death is sin, but we have a hope because through Jesus Christ we have been given ultimate victory.  It is because of this that we can rejoice in the promise of salvation through the finished work of Jesus.   Dad has finished the race and he has had every tear wiped away in heaven where we are told there is no more sorrow and no more death.  While we may presently be sad because of his passing, we can rejoice as the angels are rejoicing because he is now in the presence of the everlasting God.  Dad very much enjoyed hearing about heaven when Tim would tell him of its beauty and promise.  I remember before I had to return home I told dad that if I didn’t see him again I would meet him there.  He asked; “Are you trying to bribe me?” He was enraptured by the description of the streets of gold, perhaps he thought he could pull up a brick or two, as if somehow it were worth anything compared to the rich mercies of our God.  I would like to end with the words of the prophet Isaiah and his description concerning our reception into the presence of the Lord:

He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.  It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.  This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

I love you dad, I’m looking forward to taking a tour of those golden streets with you some day.