Message from Scripture: 8/14/2020

Today our message from Scripture comes from Psa. 116:15. “Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones.”

This psalm has been a conundrum for some. At the beginning of it, the writer speaks of His love for the Lord, specifically because God heard his plea for help. He was in the deepest of distress, as he felt he was being tied up in the ropes of death, but the Lord delivered him from his affliction and the agitation such a prospect brought with it. In the midst of his thanksgiving, he then said the death of those godly is precious in God’s eyes. It’s as if he is saying God saved him, but it would have been better for him to die.

Of course, we know God is the giver and sustainer of life. Life is precious, and we should consider it as precious and valuable, and thank God for all He does in offering us His help and blessings throughout our existence. We are grateful for all His goodness and love that He shows us every day. However, we also know there is another side to life which many don’t consider until it’s too late. Death is also a part of life’s experiences, for we all must face death until our Lord returns. While the psalmist could consider the blessings of life, he could also think about what happens when the time comes for us to depart this existence. God has something more wonderful planned for us when die than we can imagine, as He offers us joy in His presence and rest for eternity.

It seems to me the psalmist is expressing his understanding of the nature of life, especially of the faithful. God is our help and strength through today, and when the time comes for us to die, He has something even better planned, for those who are His. What a God we serve who takes everything about our lives into consideration, and provides for both! As the song we often sings goes, “In life, in death, O Lord, abide with Me,” and He does. Have a great day today. God bless.

Robert