6 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Psalm 116:15 (CSB): “The death of his faithful one is valuable in the Lord’s sight.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
The verse that I have chosen for today seems a bit unusual. In fact, it may seem odd.
“The Lord finds some pleasure when His faithful ones die? Really?!”
If we share the previous sentiments, it’s because we are looking at death from earth rather than from Heaven.
From earth, death stinks. It stinks really bad! I’ve experienced the death of all four grandparents, a cousin, an aunt, a mother-in-law and a father-in-law. As a pastor, I’ve been in the room when a church member’s loved one breathes their last breath. I’ve done somewhere between 50-75 funerals.
So, when I say that death stinks, I know what I’m talking about. In a world where we crave to love and be loved, and where relationships are a way to find happiness and combat deep loneliness, it stings really bad when a loved one dies. It’s final, it’s ugly, and it hurts horribly.
After all, death wasn’t a part of the original experience. Adam and Eve were created in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1-2). For all we know, they could have lived forever in that condition. Yet, Genesis 3 happened and they sinned. Part of the consequences of their sin is that every single person is born to die. Death is part of the curse of Genesis 3.
So, we can’t understand Psalm 116:15 from earth. We need to look at it from Heaven’s point of view.
Psalm 116:15 (CSB): “The death of his faithful one is valuable in the Lord’s sight.”
When God looks at one of His faithful ones on earth, He sees someone for whom Jesus died. He sees one of His children who is being fitted for Heaven. But He also sees His children living in a sinful, unjust, painful experience.
His children want to pursue holiness but their hearts are broken when they periodically stumble into sin.
His children desire to please Him in how they live but become the object of ridicule and maybe even persecution by those outside and often inside the church.
His children, living in a Genesis 3 world, experience pain, sickness, grief, and death.
So, when He calls them through death’s door into their eternal home, He is happy. They are finally safe. They are finally away from the curse of Genesis 3. They are finally in a place where they can have their heart’s desires met of living a life of complete holiness as they enjoy the presence of Jesus forever.
Even though death is ugly, it is the doorway to eternal bliss for the Lord’s faithful. That’s why death is pleasing to Him.
* * * * * * * * * *
Lord Jesus, death is so abhorrent to me. It’s ugly and it brings on pain to those left behind. I’m even reminded that You wept at the tomb of Your dear friend, Lazarus. Yet, Your Word makes it clear that death is the doorway to my eternal home. So, help me to live my life to the fullest, glorifying You every day all the way. And then, when You see fit to call me home, or call a loved one home who is one of Your children, help me to have joy mixed in with the grief. Help me to see that from this side of the grave, death stinks. But, from your side of the grave, it is absolutely wonderful! Amen.
Matt’s Musings 