Joy in Facing Death ~ Ann Evans
This past December a dear Christian friend of mine went home to heaven. Through her testimony, she taught me much about facing death with a joyful spirit. During her journey to glory, I had the honor of visiting and talking with her. I observed the peace and joy which came from her Saviour. I want to share with you some precious truths I learned from her.
1. She stayed grounded in God’s Word by walking daily, moment by moment with Him.
Colossians 2:6-7: “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”
Every visit with my friend included a beautiful talk about our Lord. She would share what she read in God’s Word that encouraged her. We would delight in talking about God, His character, and His Word.
2. She shared the gospel.
II Corinthians 5:18-21: “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the world of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
When she was healthy, she was an active soul winner. During her battle with cancer, she continued to share the gospel anywhere and anyway she could. She continued to witness to her unsaved neighbor and an employee. She was soul conscious.
3. She attended church whenever she was physically able.
Psalm 84:4: “Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee.”
She stayed as active in church as she could. Even just weeks before her death, she sang special music at church.
4. She realized earth was not her home.
Hebrews 11:16: “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”
II Corinthians 5:1: “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
Here is where we would have some honest, serious friend conversations. She shared her heart: she was looking to that city (Hebrews 11:10). At her funeral, her son shared that in her final days she would wake up and say, “Oh, Jesus, you forgot to take me home.” Her son would smile and tease, “Remember when we kids were little and would ask, ‘How much longer?’. You just have to wait a little bit longer.” She kept her eyes on her Precious Saviour.
Even in her death, she glorified God. In her funeral, just as she planned, God was exalted. The plan of salvation was clearly presented, and God was lifted up.
God’s promises about death:
You are not alone. God is with you. Psalm 23:4: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
God will carry you. Isaiah 46:4: “And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”
God will guide you. Psalm 48:14: “For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death.” Psalm 73:23-25: “Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.”
God will renew your inward man. II Corinthians 4:16: “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
Jesus gives us the victory over death. Acts 2:24: “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” Hebrews 2:9: “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” I Corinthians 15:55: “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying
that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
God does not want us to fear death. Hebrews 2:14-15: “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15
Thank you, God, for Your Presence with us and Your promises to us.