God is always communicating with us, and Scripture is the primary way he does it. So to hear from him we have to take the time to read the Bible and listen with our hearts. I'm in Isaiah 57:1-13 this morning. Why don't you join me there? First ask the Holy Spirit to impress on you what you need to hear most. Write down that verse(s) and then journal your observations and what you plan to do in response.
Devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death. (v. 1-2)
Why do bad things happen to good people? Why is it that people who have no use for God often live far too long for most of us, while the people you never want to be without get taken away? It's incomplete, but here is one of the reasons that the best people sometimes die prematurely. As much as we want to cling to our present lives there is something far better beyond it! Only Jesus could fully reveal that truth and solidify our hope in what lies beyond physical death. But even here in the Old Testament the people of God were given hints and in their hearts felt that we were meant for something more.
The fact is that some people are just too good for this fallen world. God sometimes honors them by removing them from it to introduce them to the wonders of his heaven and release them from the burdens that presently weigh us down. Or he knows that something that lies ahead would be too painful for them, so he spares them from it by bringing them to his side where nothing can ever threaten their well-being again.
It shows something of the contrast between how we view death and how God sees it. To us the timing may seem tragic and unfair, while from his perspective it is a blessing and an honor. The reason God sees it so differently is that he knows fully what it's like on the other side of the door of death. And he knows how the future will play out on our own side of that door. He understands far better than we the maginitude of the release that the transition from this life to the next provides.
Thank you for speaking to me today, God. You've given me some perspective on Cathy's death at age 39. I've often struggled and cried out to you about how you could take someone so godly and wonderful so early in her life when the kids and I and the world needed her light. Maybe she was just too good to have to wait for heaven any longer. I miss her so much, but I'm thankful that she is celebrating with you.
We would be so blessed to hear your own impressions of God's message to you today from this text. Please comment below (choose Anonymous from the drop-down menu or sign into your Google account first).
My grandparents all died before I was a teenager. I have known people who have died, and been at the very bedside of 2 of my fathers-in-law, but never experienced death within a close circle.
ReplyDeleteRight now, it is very easy for me to say "To be absent in body is to be present with the Lord", but will I really embrace that statement when the time comes that someone I am close to gets called on home?
I choose to believe that when God creates each one of us as individuals, He has something in mind. He has His will that He personally designates. I believe that God created me for something of His purpose, and when I achieve that, He will call me home. Obviously, I have not achieved it yet.
I often wonder this: "What if God created Cathy for the sole purpose of starting One Life Church"? Everything else, was just, as we cajuns say, lagniappe (lon yop). Extra. A baker's dozen. How blessed YOU are by having had 20 years of her life in yours!!! God had a very specific purpose for Cathy and she did it! Hallelujah! She has the ULTIMATE victory as she is in the presence of Jesus!
Chris,
ReplyDeleteTonight at a Bible Study at Freedom Church a women spoke of trying suicide 21 times when she was younger. Why is she still here? I think she is just now beginning to "walk uprightly" as she listens to God speaking to her. She said it's been a year since she has been in a hospital. PTL!
We participated in the "imposition of ashes" on Ash Wednesday, a few weeks back. As I placed ashes on the foreheads of adults and teens and said the words, "from dust you came, from dust you will return", I realized how soon that day comes for all of us no matter our age. I love V.13 where it says, "But the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain." What a promise for those whose names are written on His hands.
love you brother,
Terry
Well said! Thank you both for sharing your thoughts! I think the reason that a lot of people who don't know God live so long is that he is giving them more time to find and receive his grace and love. Or, it may be true, as it has been said, that the more you complain the longer God makes you live!
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