God Will Wipe Away Every Tear!
Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.As the photo above illustrates, tears begin early in our fallen world and they continue throughout our lives. The tears that come with the inevitable human event of losing a loved one to death is vividly described in the hymn below. It is a bittersweet moment full of tears for the Christian that is left behind to bid farewell to the loved one that has passed into the heavenly realm. The sadness and grief of this farewell is pitted against the rejoicing of heaven’s anthems for the deceased loved one. Memories of happier days and fellowship, prayer, and praise are all that is left of this earthly friendship. The songs of earth with family and friends have ended and will be no more. Loved one, farewell.
However, praise God that salvation’s story is not over. Loved ones ascend to where angels dwell and the saints in heaven form a praising throng singing and praising God with new made songs. Soon enough there will be a reunion at the pearly gate when friends and family meet, and where God will wipe away every tear and lead them all to springs of living water. Loved ones, farewell and be sure to watch and wait as we all get to heaven one by one. What a day of rejoicing that will be.
Loved One, Farewell
Mary B. Slade
Birds are rejoicing,
O’er hill and dell;
Hushed is thy voicing,
Sweeter that fell.
Friend of our happy days,
Brother of prayer and praise,
Thine own sweet music says,
Loved one, farewell!
Thou hast ascended,
Where angels dwell;
Where, earth songs ended,
Heav’n’s anthems swell.
Safe, all the saints among,
Blest with the praising throng,
Singing the new made songs,
Loved one, farewell!
Salvation’s story
Then thou wilt tell;
Triumphs of glory,
Thy voice shall swell.
Rest thou, oh,
friend so dear,
Thy precious Savior near,
Where God shall wipe each tear,
Loved one, farewell!
Safe from thee turning,
Grief’s tones will knell;
Hard, hard the learning,
God doeth well!
Till, be it soon or late,
Up, at the pearly gate,
We meet, oh watch and wait,
Loved one, farewell!
posted by jazzycat at 3:59 PM
6 Comments:
The most important thing we can do in this world is to prepare spiritually for that day when friends and family that are left behind will gather around to tell us, Loved one, farewell.
It is inevitable for our loved ones and for us. The only unknown is the time we have left. However, be it soon or late, those who are in Christ Jesus by faith will meet and rejoice at the pearly gate.....
February 08, 2008 4:33 PM
If ever this saying to be true, is when a Saint goes to be with the Lord.
"Home Sweet Home"
Wonderful post Jazz.
Cristina
February 08, 2008 4:37 PM
I lost my wife almost eight years ago now. There was a part of me that suffered intense pain and sorrow and part of me that observed the process, seemingly removed and subjective. I don't know how your theology will tolerate this... I found a great joy in embracing the pain and intentionally feeling every moment of it. It was a confession of my fallen condition. It was a confession that I know I live in a fallen world. It was a confession of my love. And it was a confession of my lack of understanding of eternal things. At the same time, it awakened in me a brand new sense of my need for God right now.
Dave
February 09, 2008 9:54 AM
Thanks for sharing your heart Dave.
This was in the February 6th reading of "The One year Book of Christian History":
February 6, 1870 ...
"[George] Muller wrote ...: "39 years and 4 months ago, the Lord gave me my most valuable, lovely and holy wife. Her value to me, and the blessing God made her to me, is beyond description. This blessing was continued to me till this day, when this afternoon, about four o'clock, the Lord took her to Himself."
After the funeral Muller sat at the vestry table, buried his face in his hands, and did not speak or move for two hours. But in his loneliness and grief he could still say to the Lord, "You are good and do good."
February 09, 2008 10:11 AM
Cristina, Dave, and Don,
Very good comments. Thanks.
February 09, 2008 11:05 AM
The Lord giveth
and the Lord taketh away
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
- Job 1:21
You know, I think it is easier for us to actually consider going to be with the Lord ourselves than to have to let our loved ones go.
And yet, we must.
Dave, I appreciated your comment. I think embracing the pain is actually very wise. What other choice is there really? If we ignore it, it doesn't leave. If we reject it, it doesn't leave. If we embrace it and live through it, we can meet the Lord therein.
February 09, 2008 1:38 PM
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