For Those Who Grieve

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”
I Thessalonians 4:13-14

This morning I am attending the funeral service of Sueko Arakawa at my former church, the Christ Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. Sueko lived in the neighborhood around the church and one day I heard from one of our church members that she was going through some challenging times and that it would be good for me to visit.

When I visited with Sueko I shared the Gospel and she accepted Christ into her life. Later she became a deacon, elder, and active member of the church. It wasn’t until I came to Wintersburg that I discovered that Sueko was Mark Shiraki’s aunt.

Just before she passed, Mark and I went to visit and pray with her. As we talked, we spoke of how one day we would see her again in the kingdom of heaven. Sueko, had no fear of death, in fact, she was looking forward to meeting Jesus. That is our hope and faith as we have trusted in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.

Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica that we do not grieve as those who have no hope. We can have hope because Jesus died and rose again and he offers eternal life to all those who place their faith and trust in Christ. The hope of our Christian faith is that our loved ones are in a perfect place that God has prepared just for us, a place where there is no sorrow, suffering or pain.

Thought For Today: Sueko knew the Lord and was looking forward to seeing him face to face. How about you? Are you prepared to meet the Lord? Have you trusted in Jesus? If not, why not invite Christ into your life right now? If you have trusted in Christ, thank God for your eternal salvation.

Today’s Prayer Focus: Thank God for the Christian hope of eternal life in His Kingdom. Do you know anyone who is mourning the loss of loved ones? Pray for God’s comfort to be with them. Deo Volente.