Scripture

Shared by her son, John Herr (audio)This first passage I would like to share I had the privilege of reading with my mother at the hospital. Psalm 46 speaks of a confidence and trust in God that we all saw lived out so well the past few weeks. Trusting in God’s complete sovereignty over her illness, my mother was able rest knowing that God was her fortress and source of strength.

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

During her last weeks my mother had the energy to see family members and several close friends. In each of these visits I noticed that she was more often than not the comforter than the one being comforted. When asked how she was doing, she always responded that she had no fear of death. She had no fear because she was holding onto God’s promises that she had first heard and committed to memory during her college years. When diagnosed with terminal cancer she found comfort in God’s promises because she knew that through her suffering she had not been abandoned by Christ, but rather Christ was using her suffering to carry her to her ultimate goal. Romans chapter 8 speaks of the everlasting, inseparable love of Christ that my mom so well understood.

Romans 8:31-39

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,” For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.