Meet to part, but part to meet

We meet to part, but part to meet

When earthly labors are complete,

To join in yet more blest employ,

In an eternal world of joy.

This is the last stanza of the Southern Seminary hymn. Pastor Ryan quoted this in his sermon yesterday on 1 Thess. 4: 13-18, a text that is typically used at funerals.  But when we consider life, we don't know what our days may hold. This past year, there have been those who didn't expect to lose family or friends.  This coming year, we may say farewell (at least in this life) to loved ones, friends, or this may be the year God calls us to glory.  But though we may part for now, we have the hope of meeting again. God will keep us safe in Christ, whether we go in advance or are alive when Christ returns.  

"Therefore, encourage one another with these words." Even so come, Lord Jesus!

Listen to the sermon here.

The changes of God's children are for the better. Death to them is but a gathering. Gathering doth show the preciousness of the things gathered, for God doth not use to gather things of no value... All the gatherings of a Christian in this life is a gathering to Christ by faith, and to the communion of the saints by love (1 Thess. 4:17); and the more he doth grow in grace, the more near communion he hath with Christ. Then after this gathering by grace, there comes by death a gathering to Christ in glory. For the soul goes forever and ever to be with the Lord. After this comes a high degree of gathering at the day of judgment, when there shall be a great meeting of all the saints, and the soul and body shall be reunited together, to remain forever with the Lord. 

The Saint's Refreshing by Richard Sibbes in Josiah's Reformation, Banner of Truth. pgs. 138-139.