Psalm 116:15, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."
Have you ever looked at a verse and said, "I don't get it!"? This could very well be one of those verses.
There is no doubt in my mind that God is in control of every factor of life and death. As our Creator He knows the time we will be born and the time of our departure from this life. However, there's not too many people (including Christians) in this world who look at the death of a loved one as precious.
A few years ago our church endured a very difficult loss from our congregation. Tyler was only 8 years old when he passed away. Most of his life, Tyler had to fight the effects of a tumor on his optical nerve. He had already endured 2 surgeries to reduce the size of the tumor. It was during the 3rd that he was unable to wake up. Apparently an infection set in and Tyler went on to be with the Lord. There is a couple of things that I have learned as a Pastor when it comes to dealing with the death of a child. #1 - No one should ever have to see a casket that small, and #2 - There isn't a lot you can say to comfort the family who has lost a child.
After the funeral I was completely drained. Ron (Worship/Missions Pastor) and I had spent 4 days in Charlottesville to be with the family during and after the surgery. It was a grueling week leading up to the funeral and an emotional time during. Please - I'm not asking you to feel sorry for me...Tyler's family are the ones who had to deal with the worst part...saying "Goodbye".
A couple of weeks after the funeral I had a talk with Tyler's dad. Tim is a thinker. And when God shares something with him you should listen. He had spent considerable amount time praying and seeking God after Tyler's death. He told me that he wondered about verses such as the one above. He said that he could never figure out how Tyler's death could be seen as precious. The Lord, however, spoke to him during that time and showed him that it's precious because He is finally able to have full fellowship with one of His own.
You see, as long as we are in this earthly body we are never in "full" fellowship with God. It is only when we are able to leave this earthly temple and enter into the presence of God that we can be in constant fellowship with God. Think about it: no more sin to bring separation, no more questions about whether or not God is speaking, no more having to look through the eyes of faith but being able to see the glory of God with your own two eyes. Tyler is now in the presence of God - worshipping around His throne - and there's no more surgeries, no more cancer, no more separation.
These thoughts are fresh on my mind this week since a visit to the hospital on Sunday morning. Clayton is a dear brother in Christ. He has spent the majority of his adult life preaching the gospel. I came into contact with Clayton since he is the father of one of our church members. Since I have known him Clayton has been on the downward cycle of life. He had previously overcome major medical issues including cancer. It wasn't until just a few months ago that Clayton's health took a serious turn for the worst. Following back surgery he fell during rehab and lost spinal fluid. It was a condition that he would never fully get over.
This has been very trying for the family to say the least. It was just a couple of years ago that Clayton stood at the pulpit of PBC and delivered a wonderful message for a Homecoming service. Now it seems as though Clayton is preparing for a "Homecoming" of his own.
After my visit Sunday (which was very emotional) I was given the notice that the family wanted me to help with the funeral once Clayton goes home. I prayed with his wife at the hospital and then cried on the way to church. How sad, I thought, to be waiting on a loved one to pass away. How sad - to lose the patriarch of a family. How sad - to see a strong man reduced to a hospital bed. But in God's eyes - How Precious it will be when Clayton comes home and hears those words... "Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter in..."
When we look at situations like this we see the loss while God enjoys the gain. Oh, He understand our pain and gives us comfort. But to think about Clayton enjoying the goodness of Heaven brings great joy to my heart.
Please pray for this family as they prepare to say goodbye. And give thanks to the God who made Heaven a real possibility for us through the death of Jesus Christ. There is victory in Jesus!
David said in Psalm 23, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil. You are with me..."
Praise God!
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