Our Hope in Christ

This is today's entry in L.B. Cowman's Consolation, a timeless devotional that ministers to the hearts of those that have lost a loved one.

For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Those who died in Christ shall be forever reunited with us who wait for Him and them. They shall come with Him. "God will bring them." We, on the other hand, if we are living at the supreme moment, shall be changed and caught up to meet Him, and then, all one in Christ, we shall be forever with Him to go out no more forever.

Wherefore comfort one another with these words
1 Thessalonians 4:18

Sometimes you went away
For just a little while,
And I could scarcely wait
To see again your smile.
I listened for your step,
My hand was on the door,
And what a joy it was
To have you back once more.

One day you said "Goodbye,"
And went to see the King,
His beauty to behold
And precious sheaves to bring;
In eagerness I wait
The while I feel my lack.
I'm looking hour by hour
To see you both come back.

by Edith L. Mapes

Mrs. Cowman is a widow herself and has quite a gift of ministering to the grieving hearts of other widows. These verses are so comforting and encouraging. In fact, two verses preceeding these three are on Kent's head marker though in the NIV version:

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

I'm so thankful for the hope of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ! Even though our hearts grieve the loss of those that leave this earth to join their Lord and Savior before us, we know we'll see them again.