You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.—James 5:8
In these days, I have been looking toward the future more than usual. Especially, I have been thinking about the very end of life and how I tend to view it so very fearfully and negatively. Reading Spurgeon has helped me examine and right my thinking in this regard. He talks about the end of a believer’s life in such positive terms. As I read more and more and then check out what I read with Scripture, I am beginning to be less fearful of death and in many ways am now looking forward to it. Death is when God’s grace will surround me and Jesus will take my hand and bring me to where I long to be…in Heaven with Him. It is where I will receive what I have really been waiting for all these years…my crown of glory. I have no reason to fear. I am chosen by God and precious. He will be with me as I pass from this life. My eternal happiness is secure because I have placed my trust in Him. Soon I will be in Heaven with my Jesus where my reward will be revealed and every tear wiped away.
Beloved…
Precious in the sight of the LORD
Is the death of His saints.—Psalm 116:15
Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven."—Matthew 26:64
Therefore, we do not lose heart…
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.—2 Corinthians 4:17-18
We are Always Confident…
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.—2 Corinthians 5:1-8
Endurance needed…
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
37 "For yet a little while,
And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him."
39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.—Hebrews 10:35-39
The Lord is near…
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:5-7
He shall strengthen your heart…
Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!—Psalm 27:14
He is compassionate and merciful…
My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.—James 5:10-11
Jesus speaking…
He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.—Revelation 22:20-21
