Psalm 144:4 – They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow.
My Nephew Jacob Cerna yesterday died at the age of 32 from Asthma. He is my sister Terri’s and his father Jesse’s youngest child. He was an accomplished and creative musician. Yes, many knew him because of his musical talent, even his stage name “Phamiliar,” but for those who knew whom well they will remember his quick smile and his almost as quick laugh. He was loved by thousands and equally true is that he loved them all either first, but certainly right back. What his family thinks right now is that, most importantly, he loved Jesus as his Savior and Lord. We are not naïve about Jacobs struggles, but we know that God looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 aptly describes how God also viewed Jacob, that He looked at Jacob’s heart, “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” And Jacob would be quick to point out that God looks at all of us in this way. Yes, Jacob had a great smile, an inclusive laugh, and a hug that was most always accompanied by an “hmmm, I love you Uncle Bobby.” And I will, for now, cherish the memory of that. My biggest thought that I cherish about Jacob is his love for the Lord. That is my greatest comfort because it means that I will see him again.
King David loved the Lord and often wrote and sang of that love. David made lots of mistakes and yet the David could confidently state “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” (Psalm 17:8). It is written that David was a man after God’s heart (Acts 13:22). Jacob was a lot like David. He, like me, has made his mistakes, but his heart belonged to God. David sought the heart of God and found it. I believe Jacob likewise did. I read that his friends write of the love and friendship Jacob gave. What we were seeing is what he had received and then passed on to us, the love of God. Because he loved the Lord, Jacob is now with him. No doubt about it. Sure we will miss Jacob, we already do, but we are confident that because we belong to Jesus, we will also see Jacob again. After tragically sinning King David said of his child that passed away “…I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:23) As we think of Him, we know He is with God. As much as we will miss him, we know that he is where he belongs and he is full of joy, smiling that smile and laughing that laugh. He again sees his grandpa and undoubtedly will give to him one of those Jacob hugs that just made us all feel better. We will miss Jacob. But we will not mourn him. That would be silly. No we will mourn not seeing him again in this world. But all who love Jesus will see him again. I’m looking forward to that. As Jesus promised in John 14, He is coming back for all who love and follow him. It is the great hope of all who serve the Lord. Jacob is with Jesus. Soon all us who love Jesus will see Jesus, and behind the Lord, smiling at us when we arrive, will be Jacob, who will be hardly be able to contain his desire to run to us and hug and love on us. It will be a great moment. And importantly, I am sure that if Jacob could say anything to all of us now it would be for all to love and serve Jesus so he can hug all of you.
Such is the hope he had and we have in Jesus. Let us be faithful to God who is always faithful to us. To the Lord, we say thank you and come soon. To Jacob “We’ll see you then.” No doubt whatsoever.
For those of you who are led to help, a Go Fund me page is set up to pay for needed arrangements. You can be sure every dime will go toward the services for Jacob. https://www.gofundme.com/jacob-quotphamiliar-cerna-memorial-fund?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fb_dn_cpgnsharemore_r&fbclid=IwAR0ENyujBdetPGHwEAiwk3qYIcm2EeosD0KCyWY461Cqw5WbXBnwDLMVnd4
Jacob with his daughter Adalyn Jacob (Bottom Right) with his brothers
Jacob (In the middle)with his cousins, my two sons These five back in the day
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.