January 25, 2020 (Saturday)
January seems like a strange month to me because there have been so many deaths in our family during January. As I pause and think about my loved ones who have died during this month, I do not do so by reliving those final days, but by meditating upon the special presence each of them brought to my life. The author of Hebrews says of Abel, “by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead” (Hebrews 1:4b) . All of my friends and loved ones are still speaking to me through the influence they continue to have upon me.
Think about it. How many times have you heard yourself saying, “As my mother used to say..” or “As my Daddy used to say..” followed by an old saying or a wise remark they used to repeat under the circumstances you might have been experiencing once again.
We rely upon memory to recall the words and deeds of our loved ones who have died. But Jesus said something one day that was astounding: ” “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25-26). He said other things that remind us that those who have died still exist. We cannot see them or talk with them, but God can. Jesus said, “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. When God said I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, He spoke in in the present tense. He is their God, not was. They died on earth but they live with God. At a time of God’s own choosing, we shall follow.
Eternal life occurs in a renewed, unspoiled and perfect creation, which can be termed Heaven since God will choose to dwell there permanently with his people, as seen in Revelation 21:3. That there will no longer be any separation between God and man. The believers themselves will exist in incorruptible, resurrected and new bodies; there will be no sickness, no death and no tears.
LOOKING FOR A CITY
Words: W Oliver Cooper
Music: Marvin P Dalton
1943
CHORUS:
Looking for a city, (Yonder) where we’ll never die,
(And up) There the sainted millions,
(We will) Never say goodbye;
(Yes, and) There we’ll meet our Savior,
And our loved ones too,
(Now we pray), Come, O Holy Spirit,
All our hopes renew.
VERSES:
Here among the shadows (living) in a lonely land,
(With strangers) We’re a band of pilgrims on the move;
(Thru dangers) Burdened down with sorrows,
(And we’re) shunned on every hand;
(But we are) Looking for a city built above.
Here in disappointment (often) we so sadly roam,
(And earthly) friends no longer speak one word of love;
(But truly) We have found contentment, (Jesus) promised us a home,
(So we) Are looking for a city built above.
In this land of dangers (we are) going here and there
(We’re simply) trusting in the blessed Savior’s love;
(And mercy) tho’ we may be strangers, (Living) In this world of care,
(We’re always) Looking for a city built above.