DAILY DEVOTION, June 28, 2021

We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).

When I was a teenager, my family moved from the only city I had known, Peoria, Illinois, to Minneapolis, a strange new place. I can remember my first day at Ramsay Junior High, a place where I knew no one. In time, I adjusted and have fond memories of Minneapolis.

Death can be a scary thought. We are familiar with this world, but what will it be like when we leave this world? The Bible gives us a glimpse of what we will experience in the next life. In our verse, Paul expresses confidence about what we experience when we are absent from the body. When we breathe our last breath and soul and body are separated, what then? Paul says we are in the presence of the Lord.

Paul was pleased to think about his death because he knew he would see Jesus. What could be better than that? The Savior who died for us and secured a place in heaven for his disciples will be there to greet us when we take leave of our physical bodies in the hour of death.  Then follows an eternity of joy and peace. Yes, death is a significant change, but to be with Jesus is a big improvement!

Father, I thank You for the gift of life. I thank You that when I was living contrary to Your will, you still loved me and sent Your Son to redeem me.  As the years pile up, I realize that my time on this earth grows shorter each day. I anticipate being in the presence of Jesus. I pray You will keep me in true faith until graduation day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.