In response to the news that a mutual friend of ours had died, a wise
brother who knew the Lord sent me these words, “Precious in the sight of the
Lord is the death of His saints” (Ps. 116:15). Our friend’s vibrant faith in
Jesus Christ was the dominant characteristic of his life, and we knew he was
home with God in heaven. His family had that assurance as well, but I had been
focused only on their sorrow. And it’s appropriate to consider others during
their grief and loss.
But the verse from Psalms turned my thoughts to how the Lord saw the
passing of our friend. Something “precious” is something of great value. Yet,
there is a larger meaning here. There is something in the death of a saint that
transcends our grief over their absence.
“Precious (important and no light matter) in the sight of the Lord is
the death of His saints (His loving ones)” (The Amplified Bible).
Another paraphrase says, “His loved ones are very precious to him and he does
not lightly let them die” (The Living Bible). God is not flippant toward
death. The marvel of His grace and power is that, as believers, our loss of
life on earth also brings great gain.
Today we have only a glimpse. One day we’ll understand it in the
fullness of His light.
Faith builds a bridge across the gulf of death. (RBC)
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