Drawing Nearer

We shared more than September 11 as a birthday--we shared an abiding trust and faith in Christ. This is how I will remember Fred, my brother-in-law who now sleeps in peace until that trumpet sounds on resurrection morning. The recent stroke caught the family by surprise, but Fred appeared to sense that his time in this world was drawing to a close as he visited loved ones just weeks before his passing.

Those trusting in God's promises look beyond the passing of loved ones from this world. The suffering endured is only for a little while when contrasted with the glories of eternity. Believers may claim the promise, "And the God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory in Christ after you have suffered for a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10 NIV.

We know that "The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Isaiah 45:10; 51:11; Revelation 21:4.

As our hopes rest on the eternal, God will provide comfort and transform our mourning into gladness (Jeremiah 31:13). With the Psalmist we may say, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped." Psalm 28:7.

I like to think that Fred and I shared something else, the experience of drawing nearer to our Saviour through the reading of God's Word. A verse from the hymn "Nearer, Still Nearer" expresses this well: "Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last; / Till safe in glory my anchor is cast; / Through endless ages, ever to be, / Nearer, my Saviour, still nearer to Thee, / Nearer, my Saviour, still nearer to Thee."

Carolyn and I pray that the following words from a widow's loss may be ours: "We will let this bereavement make us more kind and gentle, more forebearing, patient and thoughtful toward the living."

God would not have us remain pressed down by dumb sorrow, with sore and breaking hearts. He would have us look up and behold His dear face of love. The blessed Saviour stands by many whose eyes are so blinded by tears that they do not discern Him. He longs to clasp our hands, to have us look to Him in simple faith, permitting Him to guide us. His heart is open to our griefs, our sorrows, and our trials. He has loved us with an everlasting love and with loving-kindness compassed us about. We may keep the heart stayed upon Him and meditate upon His loving-kindness all the day. He will lift the soul above the daily sorrow and perplexity, into a realm of peace.
(E.G. White, MB 12)

[Bible texts from NKJV except where noted]