When a Loved One Dies

Very dear to the LORD are the lives of his followers. He cares when they face death. (Psalm 116:15)

We struggle with this truth......especially when the follower who faces death is someone dear to us. We want to leverage our own thoughts and opinions against God and say things like, “If you really loved her, You would have healed her!”, or, “Why couldn’t it have been someone else?!?!”

Yesterday Billie went to be with Jesus. I can't be sad for her......she had fought hard for the past 20 years, and today is the first day she's found rest. But for her husband and son and parents and siblings and countless friends.....my heart is breaking. And the pain they feel isn’t lost on God.........if He cares when one of His followers faces death, then he cares when the loved ones lose someone they love.  In fact, Jesus met this head on when He said:

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
(Matthew 5:4)

And if I may, allow me to remind you of something Moses said to Joshua:

The LORD will lead you. He himself is with you. He will not fail you or leave you. Don't worry. Don't be afraid!" (Deuteronomy 31:8)

My prayers today are for Billie’s family and friends. Her mother said to me, “There was pain in her birth and there is pain in her death.”  And I said, “The pain at her birth quickly passed.  The pain in her death will linger.  But this is temporary for there is a reunion coming.......and it is eternal!”

Hold on to hope in Jesus, friends.......hold on to hope in Jesus.