October 2008
By Cletus David

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life... (Revelation 21:1-6)

Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions... (John 14: 1-2)

It was Sunday morning July 04, 2004. After three (3) years of marriage, it was over! My beloved wife passed away to glory!! She collapsed in the bathroom and by the time the medical personnel came it was too late.

For me, this was too early. I was greatly troubled and bitter. “Where is God?” I asked.

My wife and I were very close and her departure created a big vacuum in my life. Looking at our little daughter brought every memory of my wife alive in my mind and heart. I realized, though, there was nothing I could do to reverse the situation. My dear wife was gone. In my pain I sought God's comfort. One day as I read Revelation 21: 4 during one of my Bible study times, I felt these words directly speaking to me. I heard God saying to me, "I will wipe away every tear from your eyes in all situations, including the lost of your spouse"! I found peace and I was comforted.

Still today, I appreciate God’s restoration of my broken heart and the walls of my life. I am grateful that God has re-assured me that He will not leave me or forsake me in my grief. Since this experience with God, I have been positive – knowing that there are many mansions prepared for all of us through the death Christ.

I know that God knows every thing and that God loves my daughter and me. And, I know that God loved my wife. And, I also know that God knows how much I miss her – still every day. I also know that my daughter is growing in His grace and I believe that God will continue to keep us and provide for us at all times. God will not abandon me in my time of need.

Prayer

God our Father, in our tears help us to remember that you will wipe away every tear from our eyes when we trust you with all our hearts.

Focus

Young people who suffer the loss of their spouses and other loved ones.