Good morning,

Our devotion for today comes from 1 Thessalonians 4:13 "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." 

Wherever you are today, remember "Selah" which is Hebrew for "pause and think on this".

In facing grief, Christians must answer the question, "Is it okay to mourn?"  Absolutely.  People grieve because of their heartache from losing someone very dear to them.  Scripture does not belittle or negate that grief; however, today's passage calls attention to the effects of immoderate mourning.

Certainly, Paul was sensitive to the hurting hearts of those who had recently lost loved ones, yet he determined to teach them about the events of the rapture "so that [they] will not grieve as those who have no hope." (1 Thes. 4:13)

The hope to which Paul refers is the eternal security offered to those who have accepted Jesus as Lord.  Also, those Christians survived by the deceased have hope in that they will one day be reunited for all eternity.

Furthermore, death is not something that should be feared by believers.  Instead, it should be seen as a time of comfort and reward, as the deceased Christian is taken directly into the presence of Jesus.  Paul makes this clear in his frequent yearning to depart the world to be immediately with the Lord (2 Cor.5:8, Phil.1:23).  Despite this desire, however, Paul recognized that the Lord had left him on the earth for a reason, and he dedicated his whole life to that purpose.

Pray today for God's peace as you face the heartaches and trials of your own life.  Have a bless peaceful day!

Your brother in Christ,

J. H. Flakes, III