Hebrews 4:1–9 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. ² For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. ³ Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ” And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. ⁴ For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.” ⁵ And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.” ⁶ It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. ⁷ Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” ⁸ For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. ⁹ There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;

Today my mother turns 92 years old. My siblings and I will be with her today to celebrate. While I know she will enjoy us being with her, I also know that she longs for a different kind of celebration. Many of my recent conversations with her have focused on how she is weary of this world and wonders why she is still here. She longs to be with her Lord and all those who have gone before her to our Savior’s presence.

I had this same conversation with many people over the years of my ministry, especially those who reached their late 80s and beyond. They feel their bodies wearing out, are unable to be active or do the things they want to do, yet for some reason the Lord is not finished with them here on this side of heaven.

While I cannot answer why God allows some people to tarry here on earth so much longer than others, what I can do is give them the assurances He gives us in His Word. He knows those who are His, those on whom He placed His name in Baptism, those who through faith have claimed the merits of all Jesus did to accomplish our salvation from sin and death. That was all His doing, not ours. Paul spoke of it this way.

Philippians 1:6 … he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

The “work” God has done is saving us, which will be brought to its completion when Christ returns. We will enter His rest.

I’m but a stranger here, Heav’n is my home;
Earth is a desert drear, Heav’n is my home.
Danger and sorrow stand Round me on ev’ry hand;
Heav’n is my fatherland, Heav’n is my home.

What though the tempest rage, Heav’n is my home;
Short is my pilgrimage, Heav’n is my home;
And time’s wild wintry blast Soon shall be overpast;
I shall reach home at last, Heav’n is my home.

There at my Savior’s side, Heav’n is my home;
I shall be glorified, Heav’n is my home.
There are the good and blest, Those I love most and best;
And there I, too, shall rest, Heav’n is my home.

Therefore I murmur not, Heav’n is my home;
Whate’er my earthly lot, Heav’n is my home;
And I shall surely stand There at my Lord’s right hand.
Heav’n is my fatherland, Heav’n is my home.

(The Lutheran Hymnal #660)

Heavenly Father, we thank You for those in our lives who have lived for many years. We pray that You would strengthen Your dearly loved children in the confidence they have in Christ Jesus, enabling them to wait patiently to enter the place Jesus has prepared for them. Help all of us to encourage each other with the Good News we have of Jesus as our Lord and Savior. In His Name we pray. Amen.

 

Happy Birthday Mom!