Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- April 22, 2010
Death With Dignity…“In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, ‘This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die, you will not recover.” 2 Kings 20:1
Death is imminent, but for some it comes sooner rather than later. So, have I put my house in order? The Lord wants me to think through the needs of my family, the state of my soul and how I can glorify Him in the process. It is death with dignity. The process is not without hurt and pain, but it is thinking through the practical issues that affect my loved ones and me.
Death is a transition. It is the end of trusting the unseen and the beginning of resting in the seen. This is why Paul could say, “Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:55-56
Think about your relationships. Are they whole? Maybe you need to go to someone and ask for their forgiveness, and/or you may need to forgive them. Moreover, love on your spouse and children by allowing God’s Word to flow through you to them. Let them see your faith in action so that their faith becomes galvanized and grounded in Christ. Allow them to love you, as you love them back–freely and passionately. Love like the Lord–always.
Talk with those who care for you about your funeral. What scripture do you want read? What praise songs and hymns do you want sung? Death is a celebration of life on earth and a graduation to life eternal. Plan your funeral celebration as a graduation to glory. Prepare to die and you are prepared to live. Use death as an excuse to point people to Jesus.
Most importantly is to make right your relationship with God. Have you made peace with God? The foundation of your final preparations is your relationship with your Heavenly Father. Let Him love and comfort you with His presence in your final preparations. Put your house in order with your finances, family, friends and faith. Die with dignity.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).
Is my house in order? What preparations do I need to make before I go to heaven?
Related Readings: Genesis 27:1-3; 2 Samuel 1:23; John 21:19; Romans 8:37-39
