Dear <<First Name>>,
The queen's coffin made the journey to Edinburgh and I am found the manner it which the Scottish people paid their respects a testimony to their sensitive discerning of the occasion.

Pastor Simon Measures

Daily Guide

Devotional reading for today

Absent from the body

I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 - NKJV

As a Christian, what's the most important thing for you know about Queen Elizabeth II? It is that she was in Christ! She died in the Lord. We are confident in this knowledge since she was often heard to confess Jesus as Lord. In her Christmas messages to the UK and the Commonwealth she regularly spoke of her faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. On September 8th 2022 her existence in this life came to a close at the age of 96. She departed from this life to take her ease in the presence of the Lord. 2Cor.5:8.

Absent from the body, Elizabeth is now present with the Lord. Indeed, everyone who dies in the Lord is blessed in like manner. Jesus spoke of this to Martha. Martha was grieving over her brother Lazarus and Jesus reassured her with the words, "Whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." Death does not annihilate the believer in Jesus. As the apostle Paul wrote, they have but fallen asleep. This is not to make use of a euphemism for this is a metaphor for the sweet rest they are now enjoying. Matthew Henry wrote, "It is but a sleep to them. It is their rest, and undisturbed rest. They have retired out of this troublesome world, to rest from all their labours and sorrows, and they sleep in Jesus." Joh.11:26.

Your hope is not for this life only. Your hope is also in the life to come. Your death will be a falling asleep and you will retire from this world into a marvelous rest in the Lord. What's more your works will follow you. They will accompany you as a badge of honour. At some point, all things will be ready and you will close your eyes and drift away into the presence of the Lord. 1Cor.15:19, Rev.14:13.

Temper your sorrow as you see by faith what is to come!