Psalm 39, Job 21:22-26, Phil. 1:20, A Memorial

 I visited the graves of my parents yesterday.  It was the first time in over 30 years when my mother was “laid to rest.”  Let me share with you my thoughts.

First, I read Psalm 39.  This Song reminds me of my fathers who, like me, were strangers and sojourners on this earth, walking with God (v12), of the certainty that I will go away some day and be no more (v13), of the shortness and frailty of life (v4-6; my dad was only 62 when he died, my mother 79, I am 77 and my siblings all in their 80s), and of the grace of God who has delivered me from the penalty of sin (v8) and given me hope (v7).  And now, Lord, what do I wait for?  My hope is in You.

As I was standing there I watched a worm cross from one side of the marker to the other, and was reminded of Job’s words (21:22-26).  For one, death might be a little easier than for another, but they lie down alike in the dust, and worms cover them.  Death is never pretty because of what it is, the wages of sin, the end of the body given to us in this life to glorify the Creator.

And of course, I read Phil. 1:20.  You may wonder why vs. 21 was not included.  It is a favorite of many people, of course.  The 20^th verse was a great encouragement to my dad as he suffered for a few months with the cancer that took his life.  He continued to have an earthly desire to magnify the Lord with his body, by life or by death.  And he did.  As did my mom who passed away less than 2 days after she had a stroke. 

May I say, that in this day when many, including many Christians, have opted to forego funeral services and open caskets and burials in favor of cremation and ashes in a box that can move with us throughout life.  It’s simpler and cheaper is the usual argument.  I like simpler and cheaper.  But I also know this: it is Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men, and the living will take it to heart (Eccl. 7:2).  We are foolish to forget our loved ones, and our unloved relatives for that matter.  A cemetery reminds us of frailty and it an opportunity to remember our Creator.

 My last meditation was on Heb. 12:1-2.  Christ.  The author and finisher of my faith.  And I am surrounded by many witnesses, who have finished the race in faith.