“Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.” (Psalms 116:15)
Why would the death of God’s people be “precious” to Him? Does God rejoice when we die? If so, perhaps it is because God is glad for our sakes. For His people do not actually die, but they ENTER INTO HIS PRESENCE, and this meeting is indeed “precious.” On the other hand, however, if God welcomes the deaths of his people, doesn’t this DEPRECATE IN SOME WAY the joyful fellowship and fulness of life that the Bible says we should already experience AS WE “WALK” WITH GOD? I realize that this fellowship is finally consistent and complete when we are with the Lord, and that is an experience that none of us can even fathom. Nevertheless, if the end of life is the precious part of our walk with God, why doesn’t God TAKE MORE OF US HOME TO BE WITH HIM EARLIER THEN HE DOES?
Why does Paul say that he will honor Christ just as well in his living as in his dying, even though his personal preference would be to DEPART AND MEET THE LORD “…according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, TO LIVE IS CHRIST, and TO DIE IS GAIN. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, WHICH IS FAR BETTER.” (Philippians 1:20-23) Why does David rejoice that God will not abandon him to hell and corruption, but will make him know life, fullness of joy, and pleasures forevermore through his living and walking with God “You will show me the path of life; IN YOUR PRESENCE IS FULLNESS OF JOY; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalms 16:11)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham