Is There Life Beyond the Grave
Romans 6:23
King James Version
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Death is constant in life! I recall sitting at my father’s bedside; praying optimistically that he could overcome another bout with sickness. God had built him special, his tenacity inspired generations to push through some of the hardest places in their lives. Despite the signs all around us, I believed that once again he would survive. I grabbed hold of every little doctor’s report looking each day for the signal that he was turning the corner for the best. That moment would never come. After four months of being hospitalized he took his last breath. Life changed for me that day! The chambers of my heart shuddered as I gasped for air, I could not believe it!
Job 14:5
New International Version
5 A person’s days are determined;
you have decreed the number of his months
and have set limits he cannot exceed.
I thought my father was invincible and would live forever; however, his days were determined, the number of his months decreed and November 8, 1992, set limits he could not exceed. There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2).
Psalm 34:18
New International Version
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
His death broke my heart for decades; I just could not accept the absence of his physical presence. I yearned for mending, searching my surrounding for a solution. The Lord heard my despairing cry and rescued me from myself by leading me safely into His amazing presence.
Psalm 118:5
New International Version
5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
he brought me into a spacious place.
My life had broken me into pieces, each time leaving me to collect my thoughts as another loved one was laid to rest. Such a deep loss for me to bare, where could I carry the burdens of my soul. One night while excited to go to bible study, I was told by my brother that I could not go. I waved the pastor farewell and said sorry I will not be going tonight. Within hours after leaving my home, I learned that three people in that vehicle died. God spared my life that night. I stood motionless at their funeral my eyes affixed to the three coffins. I cried out to the Lord over the years as my wandering thoughts flashed visions of that cold February night! “Father, please help me!”
Life continues to march forward and during my high school years; I would learn of my best friend’s death from a gunshot wound to the temple. Lord, this could not be real. Tears flowed from my eyes like a steady stream with no end in sight. Life was strangling the oxygen out of me, my soul maunder restlessly. I need to find peace to heal the affliction that continued to surround me.
Isaiah 43:2-3
New International Version
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
Situations can make you feel like you are drowning, pain as furious as a blazing fire.
One chilly winter night my best friend and I went Christmas shopping. The next day the weather was so gloomy, however, I went back to the mall to purchase a gift for her. Upon my return home, I noticed the flashing lights on the answering machine. My mom called again this time successfully reaching me. She asked me how long I had been home, I responded, I just walked through the door. She said stay there my sibling was coming over to talk to me, after which she asked me if I had seen the news, “no!” I was so tired from the day that I paid no real attention to all her questions.
The doorbell rang and one of my sisters arrived, with this strange look on her face. Hey, what is wrong with you? She informed me that my best friend was killed an automobile accident. Jesus, please no! I remember thinking it is not true, we were just together not even twenty-four hours ago. I ran to my answering machine push the button, turned on the television and tried desperately to gather as much information as possible. What happened? Is this true? I called her mom, and she gave me the devastating details. Death is tremendously painful. She died two and a half weeks before my first-born daughter was born; her only goddaughter. I needed tremendous help my heart was filled with sorrow. I sought solace and asked God to help me!
Jeremiah 29:13
King James Version
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Death leave others behind to face another day, immediately after the burial or cremation. Life goes on without the deceased. A gut-wrenching truth. So how do we face another day without the active presence of those who precede us in death. For me I had to find peace of mind, and no one could repair my heart but God. I diligently read the bible, prayed, praised, and engaged in fellowship with other believers hoping to find a new way of life free of pain and disappointment.
God is Real
I thought about my early life in church, all those Sunday School lessons. The reflection of how much I loved being in that little storefront church. God continued to reveal himself to me, as time continued to pass, and I meditated on the word day and night. There were times when I felt like I just could not make it because grief was so consuming. My wounds are real, yet the hurt that I sustained over the years has strengthened my faith.
What happens when we die?
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
New International Version
Believers Who Have Died
13 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. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
If a man die, shall he live again?
Job 14:14
King James Version
14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Is death the absolute end of humanity? Or is there life beyond the grave? These are questions that are often thought about or asked when we come face to face with death. Job was a righteous man who experience excruciating pain throughout his life. Despite his suffering he never gave up hope in God. His expression in Job 14:14 often permeates my thoughts as I reflect on life and thereafter.
The answer to this question is Yes!
John 11:25-26
New International Version
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.
Do you believe this?”
Revelation 21:4
King James Version
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Death is inevitable; will we be ready?
Revelation 22:7
New International Version
7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”
Jesus will return and those who have died in Christ will be resurrected to eternity and those who died without Christ will be resurrected to damnation.
Today is the day of Salvation: Here is your invitation!
Romans 10:8-10
New International Version
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[a] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
