07242021 Biblical Perspective

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God of truth. It is a wonderful consolation to realize that God has all truth about everything. There is peace and stability in that realization.

On Sunday my mom fell and has (apparently) fractured her sternum. My sister, who is a nurse, is caring for her and had some initial concerns about the seriousness of this trauma. Thankfully, Mom is improving over the past several days. The recovery could take some time, but things are looking more encouraging.

My point is not to share the news about my mom or to raise concern on her behalf; rather, it is to share something about how the situation made me react. My mom is 80 years old and not in the best health. This could have been the final straw. This situation caused me to think more in depth about something I had already been pondering for other reasons – death.

In particular, I wanted to have a biblical perspective about death. Sometimes my job is monotonous enough that I can think about other things, and this week I tried to recall Scriptures that could guide my thinking and calm my spirit. Other verses came to me in the middle of the night, and I compiled a list of verses to consider. Here’s my big point: realizing that God has truth about death brought me comfort. Even the beginning process of recalling those verses brought me comfort. Further considering those truths brought me comfort.

I also realized that this is only part of the impact. The truth is that everything about life and death is covered in God’s Word. For whatever the current challenge is, God has truth. His truth comforts and stabilizes and guides. His truth gives hope. It is truly wonderful to have this foundation that can keep us in every scenario.

If you want the full study, let me know and I can provide it for you, but I thought I would share a few of the truths here in the hope they can encourage you also.

Dying is part of life. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die” (Hebrews 9:27). A Christian does not have to inordinately fight death or refuse to accept it.

God controls life and death. “The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up” (1 Samuel 2:6). Individuals can be assured that the time of their own death or that of a loved one is within the power and control of God.

Sorrow is normal and elicits a human response. “A time to weep... a time to mourn” (Ecclesiastes 3:4). Jesus Himself was affected by the death of His cousin John and responded to the event.

Peace is possible both before and after someone’s death. When Elijah was about to die, Elisha was repeatedly confronted by others who seemed disturbed at the impending event, but Elisha himself was at peace, even though he probably stood to lose the most. “And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace” (2 Kings 2:3&5).

Comfort is possible, but must be chosen. Comfort is a divine provision. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation” (1 Corinthians 1:3-4). Christians have the capacity to offer comfort to each other, especially by reminding each other of the eternal state of believers. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). There are people who do not choose to be comforted. This happened to Jacob after he believed Joseph had been killed. Jacob’s long-term sorrow caused difficulties for the rest of his family, ultimately threatening their livelihood, because his intense sorrow hindered his willingness to make necessary decisions.

Not all deaths are equal. God does not have the same plan for each individual. When Peter questioned John's future, “Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me” (John 21:22). Not only was John's lifespan very different from Peter’s, but James and John were brothers and both apostles included in Jesus’ inner circle; James died within a few years of this incident, but John lived to be an old man.

Not all sorrow is equal. The extent of sorrow will vary depending on the relationship to the one who has passed. “And they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first born” (Zechariah 12:10).

Death is not the end. “Willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Death is actually a victory for the Christian. (1 Corinthians 15:52-54).

Reunions will happen. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

God has a perspective regarding death. Death is often a tool in the hand of God to accomplish even greater things. “This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God” (John 21:19). In reality, everything in our lives from beginning to end should be for our Savior. “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8). This perspective allows us to accept God's plan whether or not it makes sense or seems right to us.

May God give you encouragement and comfort this week by directing your thoughts toward His truth for whatever situation you face.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA