Death seems to be waiting at the doorsteps of every one of us. But we do not know when is it going to strike us. Therefore, it is vital that we make sure, especially those who are facing the enemy fire in the front line of battle, that our souls are secure in the hands of God.
This will keep our minds at peace and can confidently face death under any circumstances whether natural or unnatural.
Un-preparedness to face death will lead to great fear, panic, and anxiety now, and deep regret later.
After God finished creating Adam and Eve, He placed them in the Garden of Eden.
But Satan the enemy of God tempted Adam and Eve and caused them to disobey God and they sinned against God. So Death came as a result of sin. This death includes both physical and spiritual deaths. God said to Adam in Genesis 3:19,
Ever since sin entered in the world, we are faced with calamities, violence, and various kinds of sicknesses and epidemics, and moral and spiritual decay as a result of sin.
We are now in a turbulent period in history. Violence is on the increase just as Jesus prophesied. Many people and even some nations are planning fervently to destroy one another by all means at their disposal including Nuclear weapons because of jealousy and hatred. There seems to be no easy way to control these evil forces. Governments are constantly warning people to be vigilant about epidemics, calamities and terrorist attacks. In spite of these warnings people are still being killed daily all over the world in large numbers. Newspapers are filled with these reports daily.
Physical death is inevitable. But we are willing we can prevent our spirits and souls being destroyed eternally in the Lake of Fire.
Jesus says,
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell" (Matthew 10:28).
"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:35-37)
This tells us that there is a life after physical death. Our souls and spirits will live on forever after our bodies have been destroyed.
Therefore, we should consider our souls as more precious and valuable than our bodies. No one can destroy them except God. If we could secure them with God, we would not be afraid of physical death in whatever form it comes. This gives us moral and spiritual courage to face death at any time and the grace of God will take us safely through the physical pain and suffering into the presence of God.
However, we must make sure that we have entrusted them (our souls and spirits) to God's safekeeping. When Jesus was hanging on the cross, He says,
"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."
Isn't that a wonderful example for us to follow!
In the Book of Revelation 1:18, Jesus said to John in a vision,
"Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."
Paul reassured the Corinthians,
"But Christ has indeed raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For death came through one man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in its own turn: Christ, the first fruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to Him" (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).
"Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:55-56).
The very purpose why Jesus came was to seek and to save the lost. Here are few promises Jesus has given us that we can trust; Jesus says,
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going" (John 14:1-4).
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).
You know dear friend, Jesus gave these promises and He will surely do it. He is God. He has proven this by rising up from the dead. He wants us only to trust Him. He knows we have no power to rise up from the dead and go to heaven. So we do our part of trusting Him and expect Him to do His part of His promise.
Therefore, How Do we Face Death in Peace and Confidence?
In spite of these assurances for the future, we will have to face physical and even mental agony as we come closer to the point of death.
"God has reserved for His children the priceless gift of eternal life; it is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And God in His mighty power, will make sure that you get there (to Heaven) safely to receive it (eternal life), because you are trusting in Him. It will be yours in that coming last day for all to see. So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here" (1 Peter 1:4-6).
Apostle Paul wrote to Timonthy, saying,
"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day" (2 Timothy 1:12).
Listen to Jesus,
"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the Devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10).
God will protect our souls and spirits from destruction and will give us a new body suitable to live in Heaven. Therefore, let us persevere in Christ to the end of sojourn here on earth.
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:2).
Here the writer of Hebrews is telling us to follow the example of Jesus, He endured persecution, suffering, and even death, by focusing His thoughts on the future hope and joy.
I know what the Bible says is true. But only mature Christians who had experienced God's faithfulness in the past will be able to continue to trust God's faithfulness for the future. I don't claim to be an expert; I am still a learner.
But one thing I am sure:
Therefore, anchor your Hope and trust in God the Almighty and His promises and He will take care of the rest. Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:8,
"We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."
It will be very hard, if not impossible for most young Christians to understand this. This requires stronger faith and maturity. Some times we may cry out for help from God during our suffering and God does not seem to answer our plea for help immediately. We may even feel like being forsaken by God just as this person felt during his suffering:
"He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship. He has made me dwell in darkness like those long dead. He has walled me in so I cannot escape; he has weighed me down with chains. Even when I call out or cry for help, he shuts out my prayer" (Lamentations 3:5-9).
Then the writer turns to God's past faithfulness to him and once again gains confidence to wait upon Him.
"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassion never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him" (Lamentations 3:21-24).
The writer continued to trust God, because he remembered His past faithfulness many times over. So, let us begin our spiritual journey as soon as possible, so that we will have ample time to practice our faith and experience His faithfulness, so that we can also trust Him for the future.
Remember even when we loose our minds, God remembers His promises to us. He will always remain faithful to us; Bible says,
"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassion never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Please take courage and be reconciled to God now. Receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord today, if you have not yet already done so.
If you are ready, here is how you could receive Jesus Christ.
I strongly recommend you a great book on this subject for further reading, The Journey Home: Finishing with Joy, by late Dr. Bill Bright, the Founder and President of Campus Crusade for Christ International, written during his final journey Home. This is his real story. You will be greatly blessed and encouraged by his testimony. It is available in all major Christian book stores. Please get one, read it and share it with others. God bless you.