No more death

          I have loved reading the prayers of Scotty Smith, and in particular one I just read yesterday--"A Prayer about No More Death."  Amen to that.  The older I've gotten, the more loved ones I've lost, the more painful partings I've endured, the more suffering and defeat and failure and tears I've experienced and witnessed, well, it all just makes me long for that glorious day when faith will become sight.  And when death has not only been defeated but will be utterly destroyed, removed, and wiped away even from our vocabulary.  No more broken bones, broken hearts, broken dreams, broken spirits, broken bodies, broken relationships, broken environments...no more broken anything.   Only whole and healthy and happy and holy...one day...one day.
     But until then, we live in a world where brokenness, exhaustion, separation, and sickness are still a reality, though all tempered by our hope--our certain, but nonetheless not-yet-fulfilled, hope--that Christ has already won the victory over sin and death.  He will one day make all things new, perfect, permanent, and completely death-proof.  How great will that be?!
     So here's Smith's prayer.  May it encourage your heart over this Labor Day weekend and remind you that no matter where you might be right now, Christ has already defeated death and secured our ultimate victory.  And in the meantime "We can do all things through Him who strengthens us." (Phil 4:13)  Right?  Right!

     "Dear Jesus, I've never longed for the day of 'no more death' more so than today.  It's a source of immeasurable comfort to know this promise is trustworthy and true, for your death was the death of death, Jesus.  Indeed, Jesus, you are making all things new.  Your resurrection is the guarantee and first fruits of a whole new order.  Decay and death, in every form, will be gone forever.  Hasten that day, Jesus; hasten that day.  No more picking out caskets for loved one.  No more compost piles of yesterday's bouquets.  No more walking to divorce court with broken friends.  No more death of innocence.  No more life-robbing cancers.  No more burying of unrealized dreams.  No more environmental disasters.  No longer the heartache of 'putting down' a beloved pet.
     Jesus, this is the first day in nearly 16 years I wake up minus a faithful friend.  The void is great and the tears are many.  Luther had it right: some of the greatest companions you give us in life are our pets.  I never dreamed a Yorkshire terrier could have been such a declaration of Your glory.
     A part of me is embarrassed for feeling so sad. The other part says, 'Go for it.  Let yourself go.  Grieve the loss; grieve the ugliness of death that you might advocate for the promise of life--resurrection life--eternal life.'  Surely that's the way of the gospel, Jesus.
     So as You wipe away my tears, please fuel my hope and focus my gaze.  Death is defeated but not yet annihilated.  Decay will be no more, but not yet.  Send us forth as your people, Jesus, into the valley of the shadow of death with a glimpse of the first sunrise in the new heaven and new earth.  It's supposed to feel like hurt and hope at the same time.
     You will make the written saying true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.'  'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' (I Cor.15:54-55)  You are the grave robber, Jesus.  Our labors in You are not in vain.  In Your trustworthy and triumphant name I pray.  Amen."

     All I can say is Amen!  Lord, even as we grieve whatever sorrow, separation, or suffering death's curse has wrought in our lives, might You "fuel our hope and focus our gaze" upon our glorious Grave Robber, the Lord Jesus.  Whether we're missing a faithful old friend--

Or dealing with broken bones or broken health--  (just remembering!)

Or whatever our loss, keep us tethered to the promise of Your Word, Lord.  We praise the One Who will one day wipe away every single tear and will make ALL things new.  In Him we place our certain hope.
     To God be the glory.