The holidays can be the best of times, but they also can be depressing. When loved ones pass away, it leaves us heartbroken and sad. The holidays are especially difficult for those who've just had loved ones pass away. Instead of seeing that familiar face at the dinner table, there is an empty seat. The seat was once occupied by one so dear, but now it is empty.
Trite sayings and recycled quotes do not help in such situations. The holidays are forever different when there is an empty seat. Over time, more seats are vacated. One day, the seat I occupy will be empty as well.
David's place was empty for a different reason. Out of concern for his own life, David was absent from the king's table. He and his friend, Jonathan (Saul's son), were testing the mental and emotional state of King Saul. David's absence was noticed by Saul. The king's response to David's absence was violent. When David learned this, he fled from Saul. David would never sit at the king's table again until he occupied the throne himself.
When our loved ones die in Jesus, it is tempting to think that the end has come. It has not. Even though that loved one will never sit at the family table again, the next time you see that person, he or she will be sitting at the King's table. What a joy to join them there!
It is healthy to contemplate the fact that one day my seat will be empty. So will yours. Are you sure where you will be when that day comes? Only through saving faith in Jesus do we have genuine assurance of a better place to go when death comes.
For those of you struggling during this holiday period, let me encourage you to lift up your eyes, for your redemption draweth nigh. There is a place where every seat will be occupied. There will be no empty seats at God's table. When all the saints are gathered home, the whole family of God will be together. Our reunions here on earth pale to compare with the reunion in glory. There will be no empty seats at the marriage supper of the Lamb!
The most important seat will be throne. God will occupy that seat. He is the only One worthy to sit there. Heaven will be filled with excitement. At the center of all the celebration will be God Himself. He will be praised and worshiped.
The empty seat is sad for us here on earth. Yet if that loved one died in Jesus, we know that one day we will feast with them at God's table. We won't worry about overeating or gaining calories. We will not part from that meeting. Instead, we will rejoice together, praising the One who graciously permits us to make our abode in His home forever.
I'm glad there will be no empty seats there!
No comments:
Post a Comment