Joy In The Morning
JOY IN THE MORNING
Read 1 Corinthians 15:51-57.
“Dad!” cried Sara as she and her mom entered his hospital room. She ran to the bed and flung her arms around her father’s frail shoulders. “How are you feeling?” she asked.
Dad hugged her close. “I’m afraid the news isn’t good,” he said.
A lump jumped to Sara’s throat. “I’ll pray for you to get better, Dad.” Dad smiled and squeezed her hand.
A few weeks later, Sara woke up to see Mom sitting on the edge of her bed. “Mom! You’re here! How’s Dad?”
“Oh, Sara,” said Mom with a sob. “Dad is with Jesus now.”
Tears flooded Sara’s eyes. “What? No! I prayed that God would heal him, that he wouldn’t be sick anymore!”
“And he’s not sick anymore,” said Mom as she pulled Sara into her arms.
“But I don’t understand!” cried Sara. “How could God let Dad die?”
“I don’t know, honey,” said Mom. “Sometimes God allows things to happen that we can’t understand.” She brushed the hair out of Sara’s eyes. “But think of how Dad must have felt when he opened his eyes and saw Jesus. There’s a Bible verse that says, ‘Joy comes with the morning,’ and today that came true for Dad. He woke up to find himself in the presence of Jesus, free of sickness and pain.”
“I’m glad he’s not sick anymore,” said Sara. “But I miss him so much already!”
“So do I,” said Mom, her eyes brimming with tears. “But someday we’ll wake up to find ourselves in the presence of Jesus, and when we do, Dad will be there too.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you experienced the death of a family member or friend? It’s natural to feel sad and even wonder how God could allow it to happen. But remember that for a Christian, death is passing from this life on earth to a life in heaven with Jesus. Ask God to give you comfort and peace, and remember that one day, He will wipe away all your tears.
TO MEMORIZE:
Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 30:5
AFTER DEATH, JOY AWAITS CHRISTIANS.
From the book
