A GRACIOUS REMOVAL
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"The righteous is taken away from the evil to come. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death." Isaiah 57:1-2
How this thought reconciles to earth's saddest separations! The early (what we are apt to think the too early) graves of our "loved and lost" have saved them from much sorrow, much suffering, much sin! Who can tell what may have been brooding in a dark horizon? The fairest vessel; the life freighted with the greatest promise — might have been made shipwreck on this world's treacherous sea! My God knows what is best! If He plucked His lily soon — it was to save it some rough blast! If He early folded His lamb — it was to save it having its fleece soiled with earthly corruption! If the port of glory was soon entered — it was because He foresaw the threatening tempests that was screened from our limited vision; "So He brought them to the haven where they would be!"
Yes! the quiet haven! The storms of life are over! That shore is undisturbed by one murmuring wave. "Those who walk uprightly enter intopeace" — the rest which remains for the people of God! Did the redeemed dead, at the hour of their departure, sink into blank oblivion; inherit everlasting silence — then sad indeed would be the pangs of separation. But, "weep not, she is not dead — but sleeps!" Yes! weep not! She is not dead — but lives! At the very moment earth's tears are falling — the spirit is sunning in the realms of everlasting day, safely housed, safely home! The body rests in its bed of death. The grave — is its couch of repose! We bid it the long 'good night' in the joyful expectancy of a glorious reunion at the waking time of immortality; the "morning without clouds," whose sun shall never set!
Child of sorrow! mourning over the withdrawal of some beloved object of earthly affection. Dry your tears! An early death — has been an early crown! The tie sundered here — links you to the throne of God. You have a brother, a sister, a loved one — in Heaven! You are the relative of a redeemed saint! We are proud when we hear of our friends being "advanced" in this world. What are the world's noblest promotions, in comparison with that of the believer at death, when he graduates from grace — to glory? When he exchanges the pilgrim warfare — for eternal rest?
Often, in your hours of sadness, contrast the certainty of their present bliss — with the possibilities of them remaining in a suffering, sorrowing, sinning world. Contrast the eternal joys in their possession — with the evils which might have been theirs in life. You may now, like the Shunnamite of old, be gazing with tearful eye on some withered blossom — but when the question is put, "Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?" in the elevating confidence that they have entered into eternal peace — be it yours joyfully to answer, "It is well!"
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