Risen and Standing

This morning after I heard news of an old friend of mine had passed into eternity, I read Psalm 20:6-8:  "Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. ⁷ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. ⁸ They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright."  The hearts of believers can be at rest knowing all who trust in Jesus Christ have a Saviour who gives eternal life.  The eyes of a Christian that close due to the death of the body will wake and arise in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD answers the prayer of His anointed with salvation.

At the command of Pharaoh the Hebrews departed Egypt, and later the hard-headed Pharaoh regretted his decision.  He summoned his chariots and horses to pursue his former slaves who walked on foot as they lead their children, flocks and were burdened with household goods.  Pharaoh knew the Hebrews were no match against the speed of his chariots and horses, yet he did not take into account the power of the God of Israel who recently plagued Egypt with mighty signs and wonders.  As the chariots and horses plunged into the Red Sea which was parted by God's power, the wheels came loose from their chariots.  What they trusted to recover their work force became a death-trap:  the walls of water crashed down upon chariots, horses and riders who all perished whilst God's people were saved.

How good it is in times of prosperity, grief and loss to remember the name of the LORD our God who hears the cries of His people and answers from heaven with a mighty hand.  The strong, fit bodies of young men and women fail, and the minds of the elderly grow forgetful and confused.  Some place their trust in their own strength, wisdom, power and wealth, but none of these can save a soul from death.  Jesus said it is of no value for a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul.  It is the one who loses his life for Christ's sake that finds it.  The strongest among us will fall never again to rise, but by faith in God "we have risen and stand upright."  We can have confidence our Saviour can do for us what He demonstrated by His own resurrection, that Jesus grants righteousness by faith in Him and eternal life to all who receive the Gospel.  He enables us to stand by His grace now and forever.

Oh, to be risen and stand upright in the presence of our glorious Saviour!  Abiding in the presence of the LORD is a place full of love, peace and joy without a single regret.  To be caught up from a lifeless body into the nail-pierced hands of a sovereign Saviour will be a satisfying delight for eternity!  Gone are the cares of this life and divine pleasures forevermore are prepared to be discovered by redeemed souls clothed with immortality who know God as they are known.  Drink it in my friend, and enjoy the presence of the LORD whose love you received and in whose presence you delighted while you walked this earth and led others in worship and praise on bass guitar.  Join in with the angels and saints in His worship as voices in heaven and earth unite to sing His adoration.  In the presence of Christ all sadness morphs to joy, for my friend has never been better than he is now and shall always be.