Let Me Go

Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "We Praise Thee O God"1 (Lyrics)

The other week, my husband and I attended the funeral service of his dear departed sister, who was also a mother, a sister-in-law, an aunt, and a grandmother. Her life affected two generations, and each generation mourned her differently.

Before she passed, it was very hard to watch her suffer from the excruciating pain that she was experiencing, especially when there is nothing that we or anyone else could do. Well-meaning friends upheld her in prayer and asked God to relieve her pain, or if it was God's will, to take her home to be with her Lord.

Our observations were similar to the experience of many others. Yet when that final hour comes, we tend to want to hold on to our loved ones and not let them go "home".

Christians believe that only those who trust in the name of Jesus are given entrance into heaven, and that God is the final judge of whom He receives. Strangely, there is a general belief in secular society that everyone goes to "a better place" when they die. Perhaps they picked this up from funerals and memorial services in Christian churches. Despite this, when we ask someone who is not yet a Christian whether they would go to heaven if they died, the answer usually is, "I don't know." So often, there is much weeping and despair at the funerals of non-Christians, whereas those for Christians are times of celebration and hope.

It is always hard for the ones who are left behind to let their loved ones go. But for those who depart believing in the victory of Jesus over death, it is a blessing and the beginning of a new journey — an everlasting journey to a new home — a place that Jesus has prepared for those who trust Him.

John 14:1-3 – Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. (NLT)

Revelation 21:4 – He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. (NASB)

Prayer: Creator of all that we see and do not yet see, be with us through our struggles, anger, and confusion. Grant us the peace that goes beyond human understanding, and help us to trust in Your promises of everlasting life and that one day, we will see our loved ones again. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Rosemary Hagedorn <rosyhagedorn@gmail.com>
Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    A good reminder Rosemary.


    I’m so sorry for yours and your husband’s loss. Praise God for the hope that and trust that we have in Him.


    Praise God for the prayer that is pertinent to every one of us. Thank you for voicing what is so essential.
    Blessings.
    (BC)


    God bless you for the soothing words.
    Will save it. Have shared with another who has lost a loved one.
    Thanks.


    How very true Rosemary. Would that all people could be certain of their final destiny. It behooves Christians to challenge and give Christian hope to the uncertain. On another note, the preacher at the funeral service in Moncton yesterday gave a most uplifting message to a very full arena!


    Thank you for today’s devotional, Rosy … but I do believe that those of us (Christians included) should grieve the passing of a loved one. We are to rejoice at their homegoing. That is true. But, we will miss them until we see them again. I believe grief helps us understand so many things about ourselves. May God continue to bless you and use you for His glory.


    Good morning Rosemary.
    Thank you so much for your beautiful devotional contribution for today.
    Rosemary, THANK YOU for sharing today’s devotional with the world. Your words, as well as the words of numerous other contributors, do not “fall on deaf ears”.
    My God continue to bless you in your calling and service to Him for many years to come.


    Good Morning Rosemary:
    Another beautiful devotional assuring us, those who know Christ as Lord and Saviour will indeed journey gracefully from this life into the next where they will find peace and contentment forever with their Lord.
    It IS hard for we earthly mortals to let go.
    While watching the funeral service of the three young Mounties, shot to death in Moncton, NB, the Pastor of David Ross spoke of this young man’s life and witness for his Lord. He said David had given his life for the safety of those he served and was now in the presence of His Savior and Lord. What a glorious assurance and witness this young man’s life was. He said David, had given his life for the safety of those he served and was now in the presence of His Savior and Lord. He assured David’s family even though he was “absent from them in the body, he was indeed alive and well in eternity.”
    What a glorious assurance and witness this young man’s life was, not only did he serve and witness while alive, but was blessed with the glorious opportunity, through his eulogy to make Christ Known to all attending his funeral and to those, like us, who were glued to the TV watching the beautiful service of dedication for the three heroes.
    Your perfect message brought three good points…
    We must let those we love go, thank Him for the time we spent with them, and continue praising God for their salvation and safety.
    We must be ready to witness every opportunity we get, otherwise there will be some, even many of our loved ones, who will never hear the name of Christ other than to be taken in vain.
    We must assure them when they die, if they are Christians, they will be assured of a place of eternal rest and peace with the Lord.
    Many thanks,
    Blessings Always.

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