And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making all things new!” Rev. 21:3-5
Dear heavenly Father, there’s no calendar with the day, month and year I can circle numerous times in red, but I’ve never longed more for the Day of no more death or mourning. And thankfully, I’ve never been more certain that Day is coming.
Oh for the glorious Day when there are no more tears to wipe, no more deaths to mourn—the Day when everything sad comes untrue and everything broken will be ever new. The Day when perpetual Hello’s will supplant every painful Goodbye; the Day when the only thing that will shock us, and take our breath away, will be greater, richer revelations of your love for us in Jesus.
The Day when we won’t gather in sadness to bury our dead; but with gladness we will proclaim, “Father, you have done all things well; you have made all things beautiful; you have made all things new!” The Day when our mourning will be turned to dancing; our anger will be turned to laughter; when our knowing in part will become understanding in full. The Day of no more sackcloth and ashes, only wedding garments and feasting.
Hasten that Day, Father, hasten that Day of renewal and restoration; re-gathering and resurrection; no more clenched fists, only raised palms; no more blank stares, only counting stars; no more funeral homes and grave yards, only a new heaven and a new earth.
Father, grant us great grace this morning, as we gather to remember and bury your beloved son, David Taaffe—only twenty, but so wise; engaged in your service, but now enthralled with your presence; so full of life, but never more-so than today. Give us freedom to grieve as those who have a great hope through a great gospel, and a great future through our great Savior, Jesus.
Father, may the good news of Jesus’ finished work lead to a fresh work of your mighty Spirit, in the hearts of many—today and in these coming months. We trust you to bring great good out of this hard providence—lasting fruit out of this painful moment. Your name is Redeemer; and your ways are unsearchable and your grace is inexhaustible. So very Amen we pray, for the glory of your Son, Jesus, and the expansion of your unshakable kingdom.
