There was a mixture of sadness, gratitude and many joyful reminiscences throughout our nation last week, as the body of Dame Vera Lynn was laid to rest in Ditchling, East Sussex, accompanied by the roar of two Spitfires flying past in her honour. Over the years, the song that she made famous has been sung many thousands of times, and maybe not since the words were originally sung during the 2nd World War, have they had more meaning than during these past months of Covid 19 lockdown and social distancing:
‘We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when,
but we know we’ll meet again some sunny day…’
Separation from those we love, whether family or friends, can be very hard and extremely difficult for us to cope with emotionally, when all we want to do is to give them a big hug and catch up with all their news. That is why the words of that song can bring hope, and a rising, joyful expectancy, that one day, all this will be over and we shall be reunited with those folk are who are near and dear to us.
‘Almighty God, our Creator, our Father Who lives in heaven,’ tells us in His word, the Bible, that
“There is a Friend, Who sticks closer than a brother”
The reference here is to God’s Son, our Lord Jesus, Who came into this world to die in our place, taking the punishment for our sins, to reconcile us to His Father. Jesus Himself says,
“Greater love has no-one than this, that He lay down His life for His friends.
You are My friends, if you do what I command”
‘What a Friend we have in Jesus…’ That is the tremendous assurance that a Christian has; that the Lord Jesus gave His life for them and He is now their Saviour, their Friend, One Who is always close by, Who has promised ‘never to leave you or forsake you’
Many people feel alone, lonely, isolated, maybe even desolate and miserable. But the Lord offers us friendship, fellowship, companionship and a deeper relationship with Him than we could ever enjoy with anyone else. That is why God created us; to walk with Him in loving intimacy, all day and every day.
In these days of great difficulty, which may perhaps last some time, it is wonderfully reassuring to know the presence, peace, safety and security of God’s gracious lovingkindness and compassion for us in our circumstances. To know that we are not alone, but that the Lord God Himself is caring for us and is walking with us, both now and on into eternity.
Christians have that double certainty, which gives us peace and joy today and total assurance and security for the future. Jesus says, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.’
What a meeting that will be, when we see the Lord Jesus in all His glory and majesty, when He returns to this earth … or maybe, we will go to meet Him before that great and glorious day!
Do you know Him? Do you know His forgiveness for your sin? Do you know peace with God because you have been reconciled to Him as your sin has been removed? Do you know His peace and presence today? Are you looking forward to that day, and maybe soon, when you will meet Him face to face?
Are you ready?
‘We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when’ What will you say to Him?
Ron Brickman