"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints."
Psalm 116:15
The words of our text were read by a minister at a funeral. Then he said, "God looks at death differently than we do. You could say that God sees death from another side. We see death as departure. He sees death as arrival. We see death as loss. He sees death as gain. We see death as separation. He sees death as reunion." After the service was concluded a woman spoke to the minister saying, "What you said about death helped me. I had never thought of it that way before now. I guess it's always sad for those left behind, but wonderful for those who depart to be with the Lord. Maybe we're just selfish and want them to stay here with us."
Death is departure for the child of God to a place we call heaven. That's a place filled with love. It's a place where there is no more weeping, suffering nor pain. It's a place that Jesus called home. He referred to it as His Father's house. What a wonderful metaphor for heaven. After a long journey, we usually look forward to going home. Years ago I went on a preaching mission to South Africa. Christian friends were gathered with our group as we departed East London, South Africa. As I was seated in the airplane, I began to think of family and friends who would meet me on the other side of the ocean in the USA. A sad departure would turn into a glad reunion. That's precious, and it's precious to the LORD.
Our departure time is set by God. Sooner or later we shall go through the gateway to another destination. Knowing by faith and trusting the promise of God is the way to assurance and peace. We can't stay here. When our mission is completed, it's time to go home. What a reunion that will be. Most of all, it's precious in the sight of the LORD. A mother may brush away her tears as her children depart to live in a distant place, but it's precious to her to know that one day they will return. So it is with the LORD. We are His children, and it's so precious to Him to see us coming home.
Prayer: Father, deliver us from all doubts and fears surrounding death. Help us to see by faith the way You see death. We know the way home is through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Psalm 116:15
The words of our text were read by a minister at a funeral. Then he said, "God looks at death differently than we do. You could say that God sees death from another side. We see death as departure. He sees death as arrival. We see death as loss. He sees death as gain. We see death as separation. He sees death as reunion." After the service was concluded a woman spoke to the minister saying, "What you said about death helped me. I had never thought of it that way before now. I guess it's always sad for those left behind, but wonderful for those who depart to be with the Lord. Maybe we're just selfish and want them to stay here with us."
Death is departure for the child of God to a place we call heaven. That's a place filled with love. It's a place where there is no more weeping, suffering nor pain. It's a place that Jesus called home. He referred to it as His Father's house. What a wonderful metaphor for heaven. After a long journey, we usually look forward to going home. Years ago I went on a preaching mission to South Africa. Christian friends were gathered with our group as we departed East London, South Africa. As I was seated in the airplane, I began to think of family and friends who would meet me on the other side of the ocean in the USA. A sad departure would turn into a glad reunion. That's precious, and it's precious to the LORD.
Our departure time is set by God. Sooner or later we shall go through the gateway to another destination. Knowing by faith and trusting the promise of God is the way to assurance and peace. We can't stay here. When our mission is completed, it's time to go home. What a reunion that will be. Most of all, it's precious in the sight of the LORD. A mother may brush away her tears as her children depart to live in a distant place, but it's precious to her to know that one day they will return. So it is with the LORD. We are His children, and it's so precious to Him to see us coming home.
Prayer: Father, deliver us from all doubts and fears surrounding death. Help us to see by faith the way You see death. We know the way home is through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
