I have often said, Memorial Day just might be the most helpful holiday of all. One reason why I believe that is true is that it reminds us that death is coming and our days are limited. We won’t be here forever. That being the case it behooves us to apply our hearts unto wisdom and do those things that are of the greatest importance while we have the opportunity. These words from the pen of John Angell James (1785-1859) should serve to remind us of the importance of this matter:

If the man who trembles at death is a coward; he who
trifles with it is a fool! There is a thousand times more
rationality in the trembler—than in the trifler!

There is a phenomenon in the rational world well
worthy of consideration, inquiry, and solution—the
strange and fatal insensibility of men to the grand
fact that they are mortal! Since it is infallibly certain
that they must and will die—and since death is so
solemn an event—how does it happen that so few
ever seriously think of it, or really prepare for it?

One would think that so grand and solemn a fact
as death, especially viewed in connection with the
events which are to immediately follow it—heaven,
hell and eternity—along with the uncertainty how
soon it may be realized—might operate with an
unlimited and altogether overpowering influence
upon men’s minds and hearts!

But men wish to forget death!

They try to forget it—and alas, too often succeed
in accomplishing this fatal oblivion! Yet we can
scarcely wonder at this, when we consider what
is their spiritual condition—and what death is!

It is the commonness of death, which deprives it
of its extreme dreadfulness. If death happened in
our world only once in a century, it would be felt
like the shock of an earthquake; and would hush
the inhabitants of earth into a breathless silence,
while the echoes of the knell of the departed soul
were reverberating around the globe!

Death is . . .
  the moment of destiny;
  the seal of eternity;
  the cessation of probation;
  the commencement of retribution and judgment!

The antecedents of death are dreadful—so are
the accompaniments—so are the consequences!

To every sense—death is revolting!

To every social affection—death is crucifying!

To reason—death is perplexing!

To everything but saving faith—death is overwhelming!

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints– Psalm 116:15

From our perspective it is the greatest grief we can imagine; from God’s perspective it is the delight of His heart. From our perspective, it brings a sorrow that only heaven can erase; from God’s perspective, it brings a joy that only heaven can know.

How can the death of His people be so precious in the sight of the Lord? Doesn’t He care about the gaping wound that loved ones leave behind on earth? Is He not sensitive to the pains and anguish that usually precede our own death? Why would anything so grievous to us be so precious to God?

The answer, of course, is that God loves more, sees more, and wants more for us than we love, see, or want for ourselves or loved ones. God sees the majesty, sweetness, purity, and perfection of each glorified saint as they cross over from this cursed earth and put on the robes of Christ’s righteousness.

If we could see just how delightful heaven is, just how joyful we will be there, and just how overwhelmingly sweet it will be to live in the presence of Jesus Christ forever, we would doubtless find death as precious as God does.(From “A Good Thing”)

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee– Psalm 9:9-10

What a promise! The Lord will be a refuge, a shelter, a hiding place in times of trouble.

Trouble is a part of life. We live in a fallen world and are part of the fallen race. It is impossible to fathom the magnitude of the troubles that encompass the globe, or even a single breast. It often is overwhelming and even those who profess to believe in God sometimes forget that He is the source of help in the time of trouble.

When struggling with trials, sickness, and losses it must be remembered that God is sovereign and He is working in our life even when we cannot understand the unfolding of His providences. When trouble comes to a marriage, or parents are struggling with a rebellious child, it must be remembered that God’s Word is our source of counsel and that God does not forsake them that seek Him.

Satan may suggest your trouble is too great, that there is no hope; but God is the God of hope and it is to Him that you must turn. The psalmist says “they that know thy name will put their trust in thee.” True knowledge of God brings trust.

To understand God is all powerful brings you to believe nothing is too hard for Him. To understand He is merciful gives you hope to call on Him in your time of need. To understand He is faithful assures you He will keep His promises.–“A Good Thing”

—- as thy days, so shall thy strength be.-– Deut. 33:25

Here is a precious promise for a trying day! It belongs to every Christian who is traveling to the Celestial City. It provides for every part of life’s journey; for every day–as each day may require.

It is especially suited to the dark days, the wintry days, and the trying days–when all our earthly props fail us; the days when our fellow man cannot help us.

Fellow pilgrim! Are you dispirited, depressed, and cast down? Are you looking back upon the past with sorrow–and forward into the future with fear? Cheer up! The Lord will not lay on you more than He will enable you to bear–nor will He allow any other to do so.

However weak you may feel in yourself,
however rough the road you may need to travel,
however heavy the burden you may have to carry–
God will supply you with sufficient strength for the day!

He has never allowed you to be crushed yet, though you may have staggered under some heavy burdens. He who has helped you in the past–is still your helper today. He will also help you in all the future. “As your days”–be they as troublesome as they may–“so shall your strength be.”

Whether your day brings life or death, joy or trial–it does not matter. God will send you exactly what you need to pass through it! Do not look at your trials, do not dwell on your inability–but lay hold on the promises of God and seek His grace to exercise faith in Him.

Then let Satan suggest what he pleases, or the flesh object as it may–you will be able to say, “I will not fear; for as my day–so shall my strength be. He who has promised–will also fulfill His promise.”

Blessed Lord, I praise You for this precious promise! Help, oh, help me to trust in it; and day by day as duty or trials may require–enable me to look to You and expect sufficient strength from You!  –James Smith, 1802-1862

Be of good comfort…and the God of love and peace shall be with you– 2 Corinthians 13:11

This admonition and promise, at first glance, seem to be backwards. It seems as though Paul should first give the promise of God’s presence with us, followed by the admonition to therefore be comforted. But he doesn’t.

Paul actually says for us to be comforted and then promises – subsequently – that the God of love and peace will be with us. The clear implication is that the love and peace of God will only be felt by us after we follow the admonition to “be of good comfort.” Why?

The fact is that Paul is exhorting us to be comforted. We are to allow the transcendent promises of God to flood our hearts; we are commanded to receive the marvelous truths of the gospel and hold on to them and believe them. It is only when we allow ourselves to be comforted, when we give in to the reality of goodness and joy and pleasure in all that God promises to us and purposes for us — it is only then that we can feel the love and peace of God with us. It cannot be in any other order!

We may often wonder why God has not sent comfort our way, why we do not feel the presence of God with us. But the truth is that God has sent countless comforts our way, in His Word, but we have not believed them, have not received them, have not allowed them to infiltrate our doubting and discouraged and deflated hearts.

It is only when we allow ourselves to be comforted by the truth of all that God has promised us that we will then feel the love and peace of God with us. So, believer, be comforted.—“A Good Thing”