July 28

As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind. — 2 Kgs 2:11 BSB

Even the closest of friends must sometimes part. We walk together through life, sharing conversation and companionship, not expecting separation, until suddenly, around some unforeseen corner, the chariot is waiting, and one of us is taken while the other is left. We should never forget that every friendship we form is temporary. One day, one of us will be taken, leaving the other behind to mourn by a grave and walk the rest of the way alone.

Another comforting thought here is that heaven is not far away. One of the King’s chariots came down that day to carry Elijah home. And when your godly father, mother, brother, or sister passed away, another chariot came to take them to heaven. While we won’t leave this world the way Elijah did, avoiding death altogether, we will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death. But like Elijah, we, too, will have a heavenly chariot to bear our souls away.