The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them. They were judged, each one according to his works.  Revelation 20:13  WEB

They could not believe it when they got the news. They were living far away from their old group of friends by then, but hearing about the accident of one they knew so well was staggering. The man had been a bit of a renegade before. But he had just settled down considerably. He had found a wife and together they had two beautiful little daughters. The accident left the girls without their father and only made the pain that the friends felt all the worse. It was too sudden. It was too sad. Have we ever lost someone unexpectedly? Do we hold any hope in life beyond the grave?

It is a highly controversial issue. The thought of hope in some form of life continuing on after death has separated humans from the beginning and will continue to divide us right up to the moment God sets up His new order of things. Yet is is the shining promise that the Scriptures holds out to anyone who would like to hold onto that kind of optimism. Hope does wonderful things inside a human soul. It brings light to where only darkness stood before. We do not need to know how it could be done. All we need is a spark of longing and a little faith in the promises of a mysterious God who cares for us. If we have felt the pain of losing a loved one, then we can exchange our pain for a growing awareness of a loving God. He will lift us up one day. And, all we need to do is believe in Him and set our hope in Him! Who would like something to hold on to today?

Dear Lord,

We may not be able to see how on earth it could be, but, please fill us with hope that when all is said and done, some will wake up to see You, we pray!

Amen