Young Adults' Group

Faith Thoughts

by Pastor Mark
September 15, 2022

Thoughts concerning death

Over the last week, thoughts concerning death have filled my mind. Whether young or old, death comes to us too soon. Bethany grieved with Anthony and Evelyn when they lost their daughter, Alana, due to heart failure. She was only four years old. It was devasting for the parents and their families to lose a loved one at a young age. But Alana had been fighting many health issues since birth. When she caught a blood infection, it affected her heart. Alana’s health began to deteriorate drastically and she passed away last Friday. It is always extremely saddening to hear about the death of one so young. It is never easy to come to terms with such harsh realities. But the faith thoughts that the parents and Pastor Charles shared have been uplifting.

Faith thoughts concerning life and death

1. Faith affects our perspective of life and death

1. Death can cause many negative and depressing thoughts.
2. But when we have faith, our thoughts would be significantly different.
3. Anthony and Evelyn wrote a special eulogy for Alana and shared their perspectives of faith.
4. One perspective they shared…“The Lord gives and the Lord takes.”
   • The parents acknowledged that Alana was God’s gift to them.
   • She brought much joy and blessings to them and their families.
   • Yet, in the Lord’s timing, He also took Alana back to be with Him in heaven.
5. It takes faith to share such a perspective as Job did (Job 1:21) and to believe in it truly.

Let us be challenged to see life and death from the perspective of faith.

 2. Faith in the deeper love of God

1. For the parents, there was a deep love for a daughter.
2. Understandably, they found it hard to let go of Alana.
3. When Alana’s casket was about to be closed, Pastor Charles shared with the parents and the family that the love of God is far deeper than a parent’s love.
4. God knows how much more Alana would have to suffer in the years ahead.
5. His deep love knows that it would be far better for Alana to return to Him at this time.
6. He knows what is best for Alana far more than the family would know.

Let us appreciate the deeper love of God in doing what is best for us.

3. The provision of angels

1. At the funeral service, we learnt that God provides angels to care for the little ones.
2. The Lord Jesus warned that no one should despise the little ones (Matthew 18:10).
3. He also taught that angels stand before the heavenly Father in heaven (Matthew 18:10).
4. They stand on behalf of these little ones…for they watch over and guard them diligently.

Let us be amazed at how God cares for our little ones through His angels.

4. The will of our heavenly Father

1. The Lord Jesus also taught that it is in the will of His Father that not one of the little ones should perish (Matthew 18:14).
2. It is His will that all of our little ones should be saved and not lost (Matthew 18:11).
3. It is with faith that we can hold on to this beautiful thought.

Let us continue to grow our faith and thoughts that would give us a profound and uplifting perspective in facing the challenges of life and death.

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