Honey From The Rock

www.poeministries.org

Honey From The Rock
Psalm 81:16

"Sweet Stuff From God's Word"

A daily Bible study with Victor Knowles
Copyright 2007

100 DAYS IN HEAVEN!

This entry was posted on 08-03-2009 and is filed under HEAVEN.

Today (August 3, 2009) marks the 100th day since my father, Dale V. Knowles, took his last breath on earth and his first breath in heaven. That he is in heaven I have no doubt. Oh, to be sure, his "frail tent" is beneath the sod of a quiet church cemetery in Iowa. But the real Dale V. Knowles, the spirit of my father, is with God in heaven. "Then the dust of the earth will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it" (Ecc. 12:7 NKJV). When a person dies his or her spirit is "carried by the angels" into the presence of a loving heavenly Father (Luke 16:22). I like what Psalm 16:10 says: "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." I know that my father's life, that was tinged with sorrow on earth, is now marked pure joy and consists of eternal pleasures that we cannot fathom.

I also know that my father in enjoying being in the presence of the living Christ, Jesus, the Son of God. Although I am still very sad that he is "absent from the body" I am greatly comforted that he is "present [at home] with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:8). The Bible says that to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21). My father has made that final departure from earth and is now with Christ in heaven, for the apostle Paul also wrote: "to depart and be with Christ...is far better" (Phil. 1:23). Furthermore, I know that the "no mores" of Revelation have come true for my father. There is "no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying...no more pain" (Rev. 21:4). So Dad has no more fears of choking (as he often did), falling (ditto), and being alone in his little apartment. All those fears are forever gone. Dad was a devout man of prayer and a daring preacher, but in heaven I do not know that there is any need for prayer (other than Christ's intercessions) and preaching. But there is plenty of time for praise and service. I don't know exactly how Dad is serving in heaven, but I am sure that he is still "happy in the service of the Lord" - just as he was here on earth.

I miss him more than words can say, but I would not wish him back to this vale of tears and sin-cursed world for anything. He is where he always wanted to be, and where all of us desire to be. I cherish the thought that he is now seated with the "great cloud of witnesses" cheering me on (just as he did when he attended my ball games when I was young). Hebrews 12:1 goes on to say "let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." This I plan to do. Will you join me?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for preparing a place for my father in heaven! Keep me pure from sin and strong in the race until we can at last be united once again. Through Christ I pray.