Glad Words for Sad Days

Introduction

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 KJV

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Many times our words seem so inadequate, so incomplete and yet we do our best to express our sympathy and our concern to those left behind. I am reminded again that what we need at times like these are glad words. We have a Christian duty to comfort and encourage one another. A glad word during sad times has kept many a persons on their feet who otherwise might have succumbed to sorrow. Blessed are those who speak such words.

We need words that speak of certainties, not speculation.

We need words that speak with authority.

We need words that provide true comfort.

We need words that give hope and help, something and someone to believe in as we go on from here.

God hasn’t left us without such words for times like this. He has spoken clearly, concisely and with authority. Let us look at what God’s Word promises the person who dies in the Lord.

The Bible Promises Believer’s a Reception in Glory (vv.13-14)

Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” He also tells in Philippians 1:23 “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:”

The Bible Promises Believer’s a Resurrection of the Body (vv.15-16)

These verses teach us that our resurrected bodies will be free from pain, sorrow, and crying. We will no longer contend with sin or death.

The Bible Promises Believer’s a Reunion with Loved Ones (vv.17-18)

This reunion will not only be with those we have loved but also we shall be reunited with our Saviour. We have the promise of an immediate reception into the Lord’s presence, of a resurrected body and reunited with loved ones.

Conclusion

We should never forget that these promises are conditioned on faith in Christ as Saviour who died as our substitute and rose again. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” The reality of death should make us stop and ask whether we could claim these promises if we were to die today. If for any reason you’re not sure where you would spend eternity, receive Christ today. He died for for our sins, but not for ours only but for the sins of the whole world. Trusting Him will turn a sad time into a glad eternity.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”