I cried in worship a few weeks ago. I often get tears in my eyes when I ponder the work of the cross. But today, I cried tears of absolute joy for some dear servants of God who got to spend this Lord’s day in front of the throne of God.
As the notes to “Revelation Song” began, I started to think, as I often do, of what it will be like to stand before the throne of God singing these very words. Today was different, however, as the faces of John Hamilton, Kylee Boden, and Isaac Smith came to mind and I realized that they were now before the very throne of God. Wow! I was overwhelmed with the very thought of being in His presence.
Oh, how I long for that day. Not that I want to rush through my time here, mind you. I have a wonderful family who I wouldn’t want to leave just yet. But oh, what a day of rejoicing John, Kylee, and Isaac must be experiencing. All three were incredible servants of God who lived their lives in such a way that there was no doubt who they were living for.
They touched many lives in the process and left us with great examples of sold out devotion to our King. May we all be so faithful and live every day for Christ. As Paul said in Philippians 1:20-21,
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
So, I look forward to singing with them around God’s throne in that place where Jesus will be our light and where our Father will wipe away every tear, even the tears we shed for a faithful missionary, a young wife and mother, a young newly-wed who loved working with youth, and the families they left behind.
Until that day, we grieve our loss, but celebrate their gain. We strive to live our lives so that we leave a great testimony to the power and love of our Savior. And we look forward to seeing the words of Revelation fulfilled…
”Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Rev. 7:16-17
