A Prayer for An Eternal Perspective While You Grieve
By: Emily Rose Massey
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” - Philippians 1:21, NASB
What are you grieving today? Christians, we are not ones who grieve without hope, because our hope is set in eternity. I can say that because I believe what the Bible says about this amazing hope as well as because of my own painful losses and tragedies that I have experienced throughout my life.
We can always believe in a miracle (yes absolutely!) but at what point do we trust completely in God's sovereignty in the outcome? What happens to our faith if we do not see the miracle in this life? Are our eyes fixated on what is temporary, or what is eternal?
Because of the cross, we do not have to taste death: our spirit lives on, and we live forever in eternity. It is the cross that accomplished the forgiveness of sin and made a way for us to have peace with the Father, which is the core of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Believing this gospel sets our hope toward the life that is to come.
Another honest question is why so much focus on this life? Why is it better here on earth? A "legacy" to live? When we die in Christ we live forever. Yes, there is pain. Yes, there is great sorrow and many questions as to why now, Lord? My husband and I have lost loved ones what felt like way too soon. My father was brutally murdered when he was barely 50, and my brother-in-law died in a tragic drowning accident at 25. We have experienced the pain of miscarriage early in our marriage.
We had a lot of whys just because we are human, and humans have a very difficult time processing death. But the Bible is very clear about the glorious hope we have that awaits us as believers in Christ. The truth of God's Word is what gives us great peace in the midst of our pain. Our faith is forever set on our sovereign Lord, knowing the cross has the final word in the end.
The Apostle Paul admonishes us with this: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21, NASB)
Death doesn't have the victory because, in Christ, we are given eternity with Him! Death doesn't lose its sting on our human hearts, but our spirits should be so full of joy at the thought of being in the presence of Jesus where there is no more suffering. What great gain! Do you need help fixing your gaze on eternity? Let us pray to receive God’s help to change our focus to be set on eternity.
Father,
My heart is heavy from all the confusion, darkness, and tragedy that seems to surround us every single day and only seems to be growing worse as time goes on. Help remind my heart that this place not my home, but heaven is where I belong. Although I do know You have numbered my days, help me to not take any day for granted. You have a plan for me to fulfill on this earth and that is to tell everyone that comes across my path about the glorious gospel.
When my eyes tend to become too fixated on the temporal, help me shift my focus on what lasts, what you have promised us about eternity with you. Spiritual health supersedes our physical needs and I trust that You will use my trials and loss to remind me where I find my true hope - in Christ alone. I await Your return or when You call me home with great expectancy, but will continue to give You all the glory in all that I say and do until my last breath.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Emily Massey began writing short stories and poetry as a little girl, entered the blogging world in her early 20s, and published her first book in 2015. She enjoys being a stay-at-home momma while still being able to pursue her passion as a writer. Believing she has been forgiven much, she loves much, and desires to point others to Christ and His redemptive and transforming power, especially by sharing truth found in God’s written word. If you would like to connect with Emily, you can visit www.emilyrosemassey.com
Editor's Note: We're proud to announce we've just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You'll soon be able to subscribe to receive Your Nightly Prayer via email, or as a podcast, but for now you can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer. We hope it's a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on who God is.
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