Several years ago, Ernie Smith was in the hospital awaiting surgery.  I happened to be in his hospital room when the surgeon came in to discuss the surgery with “Brother Ernie” (as I called him).  The surgeon described what he was going to do and informed Brother Ernie that when he awoke after surgery, that he would experience some pain for a while, but with the passing of time, the pain would subside.

After the surgeon left the room, I lamented with Brother Ernie about the pain that he would have to experience after surgery.  He looked at me and said something that made a deep impression on me.  He said, “I can endure most anything for a day.”

I’ve taken that lesson to heart.  If we know that tomorrow (or one day) things will improve, that helps us endure any difficulties that we are facing today.

The principle that Brother Ernie taught me is found in the Scriptures that he loved to study and teach.  Here is one of those passages:

“Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.”
-- Psalm 30:5

I shared this principle and this passage with Brother Ernie’s family and friends on the day of his funeral because this truth brings comfort to those whose loved ones have died in Christ.  We weep because the loss of a man that we have loved and from whom we have learned much.  But joy comes in the morning.  One day, Jesus will return, and “the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Because of Jesus, one day things are going to be much better for children of God.  That truth helps us endure the challenges of today because we have hope for tomorrow.

This strength for today and hope for tomorrow is found in Jesus Christ for He died for our sins on the cross so that we can be saved and receive the gift of eternal life.  Jesus opened the way to heaven where “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Because of Jesus, we can endure most anything today because we have hope for tomorrow.  Thank you, Brother Ernie, for that profound lesson that you taught and lived in your life.

Won’t YOU place your trust in and entrust your life to the One who gives you hope for tomorrow?

-- David A. Sargent

* In loving memory of Ernest Edward Smith (December 17, 1933 -December 12, 2019).  I’ll see you “tomorrow.”

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org