If you were ever to find yourself in the valley of the shadow of death, you might fear that you would have an encounter with an R.O.U.S.
What is an R.O.U.S. you ask? An R.O.U.S. is a rodent of unusual size. They will kill you.
If you have no idea what I am talking about then just think of a wolf. A wolf is not an R.O.U.S., but since you are so culturally out of touch with Princess Bride-isms, a wolf will have to do.
Think of you being a sheep and an R.O.U.S. being a wolf--you'd be scared. You'd be lunch!
In the well known psalm it says:
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;"
Today my family and I attended a funeral, and of course, they quoted psalm 23.
As I sat and listened to the discussion at the funeral I had an overwhelming feeling of how awesome christian funerals are. I don't mean "christian" funerals. I mean a funeral for someone who is without a shadow of a doubt, a believer in Jesus Christ. A child of God.
Today this was the case. A long time follower of Jesus Christ.
The Good Shepherd
Jesus is called our Good Shepherd and when we realize that He is the shepherd of Psalm 23, we can rest and rejoice.
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures."
To a sheep, green pastures are heaven. Is it too much of a stretch to think that Psalm 23 is referring to heaven? I don't think so. This earth certainly isn't heaven. Life is full of pain and suffering.
Even wealthy people wouldn't describe this life as "green pastures".
Our Good Shepherd is leading us to green pastures.
When you attend a funeral of a child of God, you are witnessing one of the Good Shepherd's sheep entering the glorious pasture of the heavenly life. Victory in Jesus!
Put it all behind you
When you watch a child of God cross the glorious finish line, you can't help but ask yourself, "What matters in life"?
When YOU cross the finish line, will you regret not working that extra hour? Will you regret not saving more money? Will you regret not watching more tv?
No, no and no!
You will rejoice with an overwhelming joy at being home, and you will regret not telling more people about The Great Good Shepherd. You will regret that you didn't love more. You will regret that you didn't worship your Shepherd more.
Your comfort in death--Fear not
Take this list of scriptures with you this week. Read them slowly. Rejoice in them. Let them overwhelm you. This is your hope. Our savior has the victory. "It is finished".
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery."
"For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death."
“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
The grand finale
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away'.
And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'
Also he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'
And he said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.
To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.
The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son'."
Love you, Pa
2 good songs about heaven:
No More Goodbyes
Heaven's Just a Few Songs Away
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