VERSE: "Even to your old age, I am He,And even to gray hairs I will carry you!I have made, and I will bear;Even I will carry, and will deliver you." - Isaiah 46:4 NKJV
PRAYER: Thank you, my Father, for promising to never forget me. Because of your faithfulness to your children of old, I know I can trust your promise to never leave me. I trust that no matter where I am or where I go, you will go with me. In Jesus' name I offer my heartfelt thanks. Amen.
QUESTION: My aunt is in a nursing home, and she says she can't understand why God keeps her here. She doesn't have any quality of life, and all she wants to do is go to Heaven. What can I say to cheer her up? Is it wrong for her to feel this way? -- Mrs. M.Z.
ANSWER: No, it's not necessarily wrong for us to want to leave this life behind and go to Heaven; after all, that is God's plan for us. As the Apostle Paul wrote,
"We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8).
Never forget: we were not meant for this world alone. Yes, our bodies will die, but our souls will not die -- and the closer we get to Christ, the less we'll be satisfied with the things of this world, and the more we'll want to be with Him forever. Paul's heart-cry can become ours:
"For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better." (Philippians 1:23).
How can you encourage your loved one?
First, let them know that you love them and you will miss them when they are gone. Thank them also for all they did and how it meant to you (and to others), and let them know that even now his/her faith is an encouragement to you. Then assure him/her that God has not forgotten them -- not at all.
Take comfort from God's promise to Isaiah:
"Even to your old age, I am He,And even to gray hairs I will carry you!I have made, and I will bear;Even I will carry, and will deliver you." (Isaiah 46:4).
Encourage him/her also to do all he/she can to help others, even at this stage of their life. No, he/she can't do everything they once did -- but he/she can pray, and can offer an encouraging word to those around them.
God will not forget us when we're in trouble or when we are old. We may outlive our friends and be forgotten by those who know us, but God will never leave us or forsake us. He will sustain, carry, protect, and rescue us.
Reference: Written by Billy Graham, edited by Godversity.