‘Children Comforting a Friend’ photo courtesy of: OpenLearn

I received a comment on one of my posts last week, from a blogging friend who had recently lost a loved one, and she expressed her concern about where her friend would spend eternity. She explained the situation and asked if I had a word of comfort for her. Her story beautifully pictured the heart of one who earnestly believes the truth of Scripture and knows that God is not only a God of love, but also a God of righteousness and justice. My heart was tender toward her, and I wanted so much to answer her with something that would give her hope, yet stay true to God’s Word. I was at a loss for what to say, so I did the only thing I knew to do … I approached the throne and asked for wisdom. God’s answer blessed me tremendously, because it exposed His tenderhearted love toward us. I’m posting the conversation here, because another friend read it and suggested that others might be blessed by how God revealed Himself in response to Charlotte’s heart cry.

Oh, Tammie … a dear, dear family friend of mine died this week and we had talked about eternity, since she had cancer, and I so desperately wanted her to accept Christ, but to my horror she didn’t accept him with me, so i don’t know what her final thoughts were. She died from something other than that dreaded disease………but not knowing where she is now is troubling me. God knew her heart, and I pray that it was a repentant one and that I can let it go and let God … if you have any comforting words on that I would certainly love to hear them!

Charlotte, I totally understand your concern. It is a hard truth to live with when someone we love passes away without leaving us any indication that they have made things right with the Lord. Especially knowing what we know … that they will stand before the judgment of a Holy God with their sins exposed and without the covering of Jesus’ sacrifice. It breaks my heart to think of it. So I’ve been praying about how to speak peace into your troubled heart, and this is what the Lord showed me …

In Mark 5:22-42, we are given the account of Jairus (father of a very sick young girl) coming to Jesus and begging for His healing touch. Jesus agreed to go with him, but before they reached the girl, messengers intercepted them and told the father that his daughter was dead. To the messengers, it seemed that the father’s efforts were in vain … just as it seems that your efforts on behalf of your dear friend were in vain, Charlotte. But just as Jairus was faithful to bring the healing power of Jesus to his daughter, you were faithful to bring the healing power of Jesus to your friend. And I think that the same comforting words Jesus spoke to Jairus in his moment of sorrow can offer you comfort today … He said, “Don’t be afraid, just have faith.” Why do I say this to you, Charlotte? Because look what happened next … Jesus visited the girl, personally, He touched her, and He brought her back from the dead … THEN she rose to walk with her hand in His!

Jesus is a ‘personal’ Savior, and He knows the heart of all men. He knew and understood the heart of your dear friend even better than she understood herself. Scripture tells us that He is longsuffering toward us, and that He does not want any of us to die without repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Wouldn’t it be just like Him to come to her personally and give her yet another opportunity before she passed from this life to the next? Perhaps this time, in the quietness of her heart, she allowed Him to heal her … and she rose to walk with her hand in His!

I’m also using this for my GratiTuesday post this week (even though I’m a bit early), because I am SO grateful that God is longsuffering and merciful toward us and our loved ones … always looking for a repentant heart … not wanting ANY of us to suffer the torments of Hell.

Want to know why others are thankful? Head over to Heavenly Homemakers and visit other GratiTuesday participants.

Keeping it real,