Today a dear friend went home to be with our Lord. With amazing grace, Pat fought a lengthy battle against cancer and now stands in the presence of Jesus. He provided an example for us to follow in his strong faith and unfailing hope. And now he has finished the race and is experiencing the victory that we all hope to have one day.
When my friend lost her firefighter husband on 9/11, she received stacks of mail from NYC advising her on ways to cope. Ann searched the Scriptures to see what God said about coping, and she found nothing. What she did find was HOPE – the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time… Titus 1:2
We can have hope because God sent His Son to secure our eternity. He didn’t send a politician, a professor, or a preacher. He sent a baby, God incarnate. The angel declared, “I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.” Fully God and fully man, the real good news is that Jesus came not to live, but to die. His sacrifice is the reason for the hope within us.
“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us.” Heb. 6:19
Would you pray for Pat’s wife and family and for our church family? I know that over during the holidays, it is especially difficult for those who have lost loved ones. May we keep our focus on the One who bore our griefs and our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4), the One who was born to die (Mk 10:45), the One who plans to give us hope and a future (Jer. 29:11).
It is times like these that we need the eternal perspective…and hope does not disappoint.
This day's focus was very special to me. Words cannot express what our hearts feel. We will continue to pray for all of you at High Mountain. Thanks, Susan.
LoRae
Praying for Pat's wife and family, and your church family during this difficult time. So thankful for the hope that we have in Jesus Christ! God bless!
Susan:
Hope is what we all need to overcome the things the world does to us. I'll be praying for Pat's family and your church as they go through the grief process.
always amazing! looking forward to the next 38 days
Isn't it wonderful that we can grieve with hope, not as people who are lost and trying to find their way in this world, but as Believers in the Risen Savior, Jesus.
Hope keeps us alive when all else fails.
Jean