Facing the Giant of Grief and LossНамуна
What’s heaven like?
‘In My Father’s house are many mansions.’ John 14:2 NKJV
On September 11, 2001, a mother told her four-year-old that his dad, a New York City cop, wouldn’t be coming home that night because he’d gone to heaven. ‘Can we call him on his mobile phone?’ the child asked. ‘No, but some day we’ll go to see him,’ she replied. After a pause the four-year-old looked up and asked, ‘Mommy, what’s Heaven like?’ Multitudes ask that question. Who’s qualified to answer it? Jesus! Listen: ‘In My Father’s house are many mansions...I go to prepare a place for you’ (John 14:2 NKJV). What’s heaven like? Like moving into a part of your heavenly Father’s house, specially prepared for you. No renovating, no parts unfinished, no disappointments on moving day. What will we do there? Serve God day and night (see Revelation 7:15). Doing what? Ruling angels. Being responsible for whole cities. Will we know our loved ones? Would we know less in Heaven than we did on earth? ‘Face to face...then shall I know even as also I am known’ (1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV). Will our children still be children and our parents still be old? No. ‘When Christ appears, we shall be like him’ (1 John 3:2 NIV), Jesus, who left us at 33. What about the physically challenged? Listen: ‘Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us...as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies’ (Romans 8:18-23 NIV). Joni Eareckson Tada says, ‘That will be the day after my death when I, the quadriplegic, will be on my feet dancing!’ Heaven will be wonderful! Are you going?
Prayer Point:
Lord, when I imagine heaven, I feel like a fish dreaming about what it’s like to live on land. I’ve only ever known this world marred by sin. And yet, I know heaven is going to be wonderful because You will be there! There will be no pain, fear, loneliness or separation. All will be renewed. It’s going to be better than anything we’ve ever known. Thank You, Lord, for leaving heaven so that we might spend eternity with You. Amen.
About this Plan
Any grieving process is painful. But if you are facing the loss of a loved one, the Bible says God is ‘near to the broken-hearted’ (Psalm 34:18 ESVUK), and He is able to carry you through the process of grieving. Read this 30-day devotional from UCB about how God draws close to those experiencing grief and loss.
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