2 Samuel 12:23
But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. (KJV)
Evangelist D L Moody stated to a congregation one day, "If one day you hear that D L Moody is dead, don't believe a word of it. For on that day I will be more alive than I have ever been."
Like the song, "I'll have a new body, praise the Lord, I'll have a new life."
Whether a loved one is young, middle-aged, or elderly, our love for them makes it difficult to let them go. The loss and the grief are very real.
How do we deal with such a loss?
How do we continue on when our loved one has departed?
King David gives us some insight into this dilemna.
I. A Time to Pray for the Dying
While life is in the balance, we pray and intercede.
We know that God is a merciful God. Without a doubt, prayer and mercy gave us an extension of months and years of life for _____________.
The prophet Nathan informed David that the child was going to die. For all David knew, it may have been conditional, like it was with Hezekiah.
The doctors said the Maydell had a limited time to live. God has the last word, so friends and family went to prayer.
Now, things will never be as they used to be, but we know that we prayed and we know that God knows best.
II. We Must Accept that Death Happens
When David realized that the servants were whispering, he perceived that his child was dead. So he got up, took a shower, changed his clothes,.......
III. Look to God
Verse 20 tells us that David WORSHIPPED after receiving the news. He went to the house of God
He bowed down in humble acceptance to God. By doing so, he was declaring that God knows and does what is best.
We are sad today, but we have come to the house of God to honor ___________ in His holy presence.
Death is not an accident (regardless of how it seems sometimes). Death is an appointment.
David could have reacted in any of a variety of ways. He could have cursed God, he could have went on a temper tantrum, he could have called for a party to drown out his sorrow. But he looked to the Lord.
If we are to keep our sanity, that is what we must do as well.
Friends and loved ones can offer their consolation and kind words, but only God can give the peace that is needed for the lonely days ahead.
IV. Continue on With Life
The customs of that day were for one to go out and throw themself down on the ground for three or four days, groaning and wailing, all the while. Then someone would finally pick them up and make them eat some food and drink some water. David did not do that. He rcognized that he could not change any of what had just transpired.
V. Hope in God
As christians, we have a:
A. Confident Hope
Phil. 1:20 "according to my hope, ....whether by life or by death"
Hebrew 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house, whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
B. Continuing Hope
Phil. 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
C. Consecrated Hope
1 Peter 3 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
D. Comforting Hope
2 Co. 5:8 to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
2 Th. 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.
Because of our hope, we can have peace.
David makes a bold proclamation in verse 23 when he says that I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.
He knew where his son went. There was no doubt that he believed that his loved one was in heaven.
I have the assurance that Sis. _________ has made it to heaven as well. Even in the last months, though everyone around her felt helpless to be able to communicate with her, she had her moments when she would take off singing a favorite hymn, or she would light up with excitement upon hearing a pentecostal sermon. Oh, yes, she loved the Lord, and even shed tears while listening to those church services. So we can't bring her back, but we can go to her.
David knew that his goal was to go to heaven. How about you?
Everyone is not going to heaven. It is for those who call on the Lord with their whole heart, and repent of their sins.
This is our great hope. We are all eternal beings. Our flesh dies, but our soul lives on. For those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb and living in obedience to His Word, there will be a glad reunion day.
If you have any reservations about your present standing, I invite you to make it right today.
