Funeral of Doris Reavis

I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Rev 21:1–4). God granted Doris ninety-three years on this earth, and that, by any human standard, is a very long time. Ninety-three years in which Doris lived a blessed and full life. And yet, no life lived in this broken and sinful world is without pain and sorrow. Doris certainly had her share of these as well. Last year she buried John, the beloved husband and companion of her later years. And twenty years earlier, she laid her beloved daughter to rest. And yet, despite these great losses, Doris was not a sorrowful woman. Beneath the quite dignity of her demeanor one could always see the hint of that inner joy and abiding peace that can live in the heart of a believer. Before everything else, before being a mother, wife, mentor, aunt, activist, and everything else that Doris was know for, she was first of all, a believer in Christ.

Her faith in the promises of Jesus was her anchor as she navigated the troubles of this world. Ninety-three years is more than enough time to break even the strongest man or woman. Time turns many people into broken and bitter shells of whom they once were, lonely and embittered, old before their time, desperately clinging to memories of the past. But this would not describe Doris. Though she was no stranger to sorrow, her faith in Jesus was to her a lasting source of joy and comfort. She firmly believed the words of Christ. Her eyes were not locked on the fading past, but rather, were fixed on the glory that was to come, the bright hope that our Lord Jesus has promised to all believers.

What promises are these? His words that we read earlier. And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new. Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true: To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. I will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Rev 21:5, 6b, 4).

For ninety-three years Doris held on to this promise with every fiber of her being. And now, at last, our Lord’s promise to her is fulfilled. Yes, his words are trustworthy and true, and now he has done exactly what he said: He has wiped every last tear from Doris’ eyes, and she will never again experience mourning or crying or pain. The Lord who kept her going out and coming in through the long years of her life will now keep here safely with himself forevermore.

While she lived, Doris looked to Jesus, knowing that he alone was the source of her help. And her trust was not misplaced. The sun did not strike her by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord did keep her from all evil, he guarded her life, he forgave all her sins, he granted the living water without payment, and now he has ushered her through death and into eternal life.

And all these things that God has given to Doris, he promises also to every believer. To all who cling to Christ through the joys and sorrows of earthly life, to all who conquer by faith, Christ says, “You also will have this heritage. I will be your God, and you will be my child. Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Amen.