“When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.” Job 16:22

An approaching journey lies before me. I have to pass from time–to eternity; from this world–to the next. And the time of my departure, although to me uncertain, cannot be very far distant. A few years–perhaps a few days–will close my stay on earth!

It is an unavoidable journey. I must go. There is no choice. Willing or unwilling, when God’s summons for me arrives–I shall have to set off.

It is an unknown journey, I have never taken it before. I have no practical acquaintance with the road, the mode of transit, the dangers or the discomforts which await me. And there is no one who can clearly explain them to me. Those of my friends who have traveled that way, have never come back to relate their experience.

It is a solitary journey. I must accomplish it alone. The most beloved of my present companions cannot accompany me. They may think of me, feel for me, pray for me–but they cannot be with me. We must separate; they to remain behind–and I go forward.

It is a momentous journey. For at its termination, I enter upon my everlasting destiny! It will convey me either to the mansions of happiness–or to the abodes of misery! The narrow boundary between the present and the future state once crossed–there will be no possibility of change. “He who is unjust–let him be unjust still; and he who is righteous–let him be righteous still.” Revelation 22:11

It is a final journey. “Soon I must go down that road from which I will never return.” My pilgrimage will be forever ended. It will be my last journey. And if I am a Christian, how welcome is this fact! I shall be done forever with sin and sorrow. Eternal felicity will be mine–perfect holiness, and perfect happiness. This journey leads me . . .
to my eternal home,
to my Father’s house,
to my everlasting rest!

Then I will not shrink from its approach, nor complain of its accompaniments. It may be linked with much that is painful and unpleasant–but it is my way home; and therefore, although life has many ties and many joys, I feel an earnest desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better than being here. “Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.” Micah 2:10

Death is a solemn journey–but it is a safe journey to Christ’s people; for He will not only receive and welcome them at its close–but He will be with them as they are passing through it. Oh, it will not be lonely with Him! And He is a guide who is well acquainted with the way, for He has trodden it Himself. He went for the purpose of smoothing its difficulties, clearing its dangers, dispersing its terrors–and He fully accomplished His purpose. Therefore when I walk through the dark valley, I will fear no evil; for you, O Jesus, will be with me, and Your rod and your staff shall comfort me! (Anonymous)

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 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. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”–Rev. 21:1-5

Exiled to the lonely isle of Patmos John looked at the sea as that which separated him from home and his dear loved ones. Then he receives this glorious revelation from God–“no more sea“! Being in that situation, I’m sure that divine pronouncement was much more meaningful to the apostle than to us. That sea was all that stood between him and home, and now he is told that one day there will be no barriers—nothing to separate us from home. In commenting on this John Henry Jowett wrote:

“What a number of “conspicuous absences” there are to be in “the home-land!”

No more sea! John was in Patmos, and the sea rolled between him and his kinsmen. The sea was a minister of estrangement. But in the home-country every cause of separation is to be done away, and the family life is to be one of inconceivable intimacy. No more sea!

And no more pain! Its work is done, and therefore the worker is put away. When the building is completed the scaffolding may be removed. When the patient is in good health the medicine bottles can be dispensed with. And so shall it be with pain and all its attendants. “The inhabitant never says: ‘I am sick!’”

And no more death! “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is Death.” Yes, he, too, shall drop his scythe, and his lax hand shall destroy no more for ever. Death himself shall die! And all things that have shared his work shall die with him. “The former things have passed away.” The wedding-peal which welcomes the Lamb’s bride will ring the funeral knell of Death and all his sable company.”

I fear our faith in God is not nearly so strong as we would like others to think. For all the talk there is about it there is not much evidence. And of all the ways in which our faith failure is revealed I suspect it is most evident in regards to prayer. Although given exceeding great and precious promises most refuse to pray as they should. James Smith wrote the following to encourage his church to pray–perhaps it will ignite a passion to pray in your heart.

…“take heed to your spirit….“Malachi 2:15

The spirit of the believer should be characterized by forbearance, humility, and love; he is exhorted to put away all anger, wrath, clamour, evil-speaking, and malice; and to put on bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering and to be ready to forgive. A bitter, contentious, censorious spirit, is just the opposite of the Spirit of Christ; and an unforgiving person cannot be a Christian, for Jesus has said, Except ye forgive men their trespasses, neither will My heavenly Father forgive you. Take heed then to your spirit, lest it be said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. Learn of Jesus; He was meek and lowly; patient and forbearing; kind to His enemies; and ready to forgive. A proud, contentious overbearing disciple, cannot expect to have fellowship with a humble, lowly, and broken-hearted Master. Beloved, let us watch over our spirit; he that rules his own spirit, does more than he that conquers a city; and a spirit that is not under control, is like a city with the walls and gates broken down; open to the enemy on every side. Lord, sanctify my spirit!–James Smith, 1840

Come, blessed Spirit, heavenly Dove,
Descend on balmy wings;
Come, tune my passions all to love,
And strike the peaceful strings;
Let every action, thought, and word,
Bring honour to my holy Lord.

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning– Psalm 30:5

Weeping does indeed endure. In fact, the night of weeping can sometimes appear to be endless. When sorrow comes over us in waves, when disappointments follow hard on the heels of each other, when physical pain wracks our body — the night stretches on and on.

But here is the great consolation of Scripture. Joy is coming! It may seem to linger, but it is irresistibly moving toward you and will reach you with the darkness-shattering power of the dawn. Now matter how severe the shadows, no matter how stormy the darkness, once the dawn comes the night is easily and quickly forgotten. No darkness is so great that the coming of the Son does not drive it away.

For the Christian, the best is always yet to come. Is the energy and beauty of youth behind you? The best is yet to come. Has health and strength left you? The best is yet to come. Have you lost a loved one to that old enemy Death? The best is yet to come.

Weeping may endure; there are sorrows that simply cannot be faced without tears. But joy is coming…dawn is approaching…the best is yet to come.(Baptist Bible Hour)