Because we walk by faith and not by sight, we are able to say with the apostle Paul that we prefer to be absent from the body, so as to be present with the Lord. For to depart and be with Christ is far better. It is better to be with him before the throne of God, serving him day and night, neither hungering nor thirsting, shepherded by the Lamb of God, who will guide us to the fountains of living waters, and who will wipe every tear from our eyes. Thank God that even though the wages of sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, death is still the last great enemy.
Death is inevitable.
Death is dreadful. But death cannot harm the children of God. They are privileged to live in hope and in anticipation. Even in this sad world, which is itself nothing but a constant death, they experience the only true comfort in life and death because they belong, body and soul, to their faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. Reprinted from New Horizons , January 2000.