So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:6-8

What the Apostle writes about here isn’t a death wish; it’s a desire for real life, life free from the weaknesses of sin and all its consequences. It’s the desire for the even better life that we have been promised.

So you can live with good courage in this life. You don’t have to live in fear of all the terrible things that can happen to you here: disease and pain or what criminals and other evil people might do to you, because you know that there’s a better life waiting for you, free from all of that.

When what others consider the very worst that can happen comes to you, you can face even death with good courage, because you will know that to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord.

The father of a friend died two days ago. I had been so looking forward to meeting him, and now I realize that it won’t happen in this life. But then it struck me that we will have all of eternity to get to know each other, and I’m looking forward to that.

Lord Jesus, thank You for assuring me of a better life after this one. Thank You for the forgiveness that covers all my failures and weaknesses here so that I can look forward to the fulfillment of Your glorious promise. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles