Joshua Doll

Once again I find myself sitting in the wake of the passing of a dear friend taken from their earthly tent all too soon. This is the second close friend of mine to pass within the past two years. The first time I had time to prepare, the second time I did not. The first time I was without hope, yet this time full of hope, for if there is no hope then there is only hopelessness. The first time not knowing Christ but this time knowing Christ and with knowing Christ comes hope. The first time I did not know this saying to be true : “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have entered the hearts of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him” (First Corinthians 2:9 NASB) but this time knowing the saying to be true. It was through the first experience, the passing of my best friend that I learned these things. It was through that first experience that I learned that an earthly funeral for a Spirit-filled person is and should be met with great rejoicing for those who are Spirit-filled; for I assure you that the Lord and His host of angels were rejoicing Wednesday evening upon the arrival of my dear friend. Yet at the same time mourning with those who mourned and comforting those in need of comfort (a reference to Second Corinthians 1:3-11).

When I received the call at 9:45PM Wednesday night, I was left in a state of shock and it was not until the next day that reality hit me. Joshua Doll will surely be missed by many, many people. My friend, though your race had its share of stumbles, you ran it valiantly and with endurance “…fixing your eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). And now, you have been added to the “…great multitude which no one could count…standing before the throne and before the Lamb…crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9-10). As one man’s earthly pursuit of God has ended ours must go on, enduring with all faith for a little while longer. But in our pursuit, we need not worry, for we have the promises of God given to us through His Word. We need only to stand fast and, we too will come to know “what God has prepared for those who love Him.” My friend, you will surely be missed, but may your memory never fade from our hearts.