None There

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.
1st John 5:11-13 NLT

Several of my family and close friends are grieving the loss of multiple family members this year and my heart aches for them. Grieving is so difficult. One can get lost in the wilderness of it all. I don't know how people who don't have a relationship with the Lord can find their way through the valley of the shadow of death. I'll just tell you straight up, I could not. Not without God. Not without His promises. 

As Christians, we lean heavily upon His Word with regard to eternal life with Christ. Paul writes in Thessalonians that we don't grieve as the world grieves (without hope), but we still grieve. There's sorrow in the loss we feel this side of heaven, but Psalm 119:50 tells us, Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles. Today, as I was thinking about a friend who placed a bench in the cemetery near the loved one's gravesite, I rejoiced with the great good news that there are NO GRAVES IN HEAVEN. None. This whole grieving process will be left behind when Jesus comes to get us...

Revelation 21:4 promises that He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. There will be none there. Thank You, Lord!

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for the promise of eternal life. Thank You for giving us Your Word so we can remind ourselves when we forget. Thank You for the comfort that only You can provide and Your precious peace that passes understanding. Father, I pray for those who are sorrowing. Please let them feel Your presence all around them, loving and comforting. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen