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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadQuiet Talks by Samuel Dickey: Gordon, Samuel Dickey - Quiet Talks on Life After Death: 49. Meeting Our Human Need
TOPIC: Gordon, Samuel Dickey - Quiet Talks on Life After Death (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 49. Meeting Our Human Need
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Meeting Our Human Need
The question of praying for the dead is an intensely interesting one. It is on the other side of this subject; not seeking help from the dead, but seeking to be helpful to them. The custom of praying for the dead has been in the Church, to varying extent, since the second century. It is common in certain sections of the Church of England today, and in certain communions that recognize that Church's leadership.
There is only one passage of Scripture quoted in its support, namely 2Ti_1:18. But this is quoted on the supposition that one, Onesiphorus, was dead, which is quite possible but not at all certain. The utter silence of Scripture on the subject, apart from this doubtful passage, would seem distinctly significant.
We are not told to pray for the dead. If our loved ones are in our Lord's presence prayer seems needless. If they are not, are they past the influence of prayer? The last chapter touches on this. Meanwhile praise can well take the place of prayer as the names of our dear ones come to our lips at prayer time.
Now there remains just one word more to add. And it is a word of deepest significance. Grief is still epidemic. Hearts are still sore and bleeding. The hearthstone is still lonely. Every meal time brings up heartbreaking memories. Loneliness still eats its acid way in.
We're hungrier than ever for fellowship. We're so needing plain straight guidance in our every day affairs. We do want to know about our loved ones. Is there no close-up, warm, help for us these days when grief drips its ceaseless rain all the day and far into the night?
Well, there's an answer to these human heart cries. And it is immediate and plain and full, and has a real human heart throb in it. There's a Friend who will share your lonely corner with you, and fill it and you with warmth and fellow-ship and glad song.
He's real, this Friend. He has the human touch. He knows all about things down here, He knows what it is to lose a dear friend through unexpected . death. There isn't one experience down here that He doesn't know by the feel, except experiences that come through wrong choice.
And so He can tell you what to do in emergencies and tight corners and everywhere else. And He will do it. And more than that He is in as close touch with your loved one who's gone as with you. He is your connecting link.
What do I mean? Whom am I talking about. Listen, while I try to get past the sometimes hardened shell of familiar words to the tense throbbing realities inside them. He's the Holy Spirit. He understands by the feel, all that Jesus went through.
But there is more. He is the Spirit of the glorified enthroned Jesus. He knows all our true human feelings and He knows all the divine power. For He is truly God, as well as human. His coming to live in you is so real a thing that it couldn't be more real. He spoke in this Book of God. He speaks in it. He will talk through its pages to you today. He will talk directly to your inmost spirit. He will surround you with the atmosphere of His own presence.