My Father's Funeral

I'll never forget my father's funeral because of what the minister read that day. He read from Psalm 27 and there was a verse that hit me like a ton of bricks. It was verse 5 where it spoke of being in the time of trouble and that's all I heard that day were those words, time of trouble.

And I remember I recoiled from those words. I drew back. I didn't like them.

You see, friends, at the time I was a successful businessman making a lot of money and everything I touched seemed to turn to gold. I even was referred to by some friends as the golden boy because success had come so quickly to me. My life at the time was all sunshine and honey blossoms.

I had a beautiful wife, a fine home, a good reputation and a growing bank account and all was going my way and the last thing I wanted was a time of trouble. So I recoiled from those words from that verse that day. But there'd soon come a time enough in my life where all that changed.

The skies went dark. The wind began to blow and the whole ball of wax unraveled and came tumbling down with a violent crash. And the second half of my life has been the exact opposite of the first.

I've become well acquainted with grief and loss, suffering, hardship and trial. But I've survived it all because I read the rest of the verse. I got out my Bible and I read what the verse in Psalm 27 actually said.

It says, For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion. In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me. He shall set me upon a rock.

I have learned, friends, that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called, according to his purpose. Through it all, God has had his purpose and God has been with me through it all. He's been my comfort and my strength.

He's been the rock that I can stand upon. Listen, friend. Jesus is a wonderful Savior.

Jesus is the pearl of great price. Jesus is worth selling all for and losing all for, so he can be gained. Jesus will never let you go and Jesus will never let you down.

Jesus is not only worthy, he is worth it. He's the bright and morning star, the lily of the valley. He is chief among ten thousand and he's the blessed hope who'll return again in power and majesty.

My father lived without God and died without God and went to hell. Don't let that happen to you, friend. If you've not trusted this blessed Savior, receive him now before it's too late.

Soon he will come in judgment on this world. When his anger shall burn as an oven, then you shall meet him as your judge. Repent before it's too late.