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The death of his faithful ones is valuable in the LORD's sight. Psalm 116:15 CSB
Psalm 116:15 is often quoted at funeral services, perhaps because it’s usually interpreted to mean that God is glad that His saints are coming home to Him. After all, didn’t Paul say to live is Christ, to die is gain? But is God really happy when His faithful ones die? Is that the message we want to send or receive as heartbroken spouses and grieving parents?
Some nuance is in order. The psalmist in the first part of Psalm 116 recounts how he cried out to God to save him from a near-death experience, and while he is grateful and exuberant in his praise, the experience itself was horrible. So, how is death “precious” or “valuable” in God’s sight?
Jesus was fiercely angry when Lazarus died. He knew that this wasn’t God’s original plan, that death resulted from sin’s corruption, not God’s intention. So He did something about it. And maybe that’s the psalmist’s point: God may not save us from dying, but He will save us from staying dead. Death is a tragic consequence of a broken world. But Jesus defeated death so that its sting is only temporary. He has the last word, and it is life for His faithful ones.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for conquering the grave so that I won’t be stuck there, apart from You, for eternity. You bring life, now and forever.
Psalm 116:15 is often quoted at funeral services, perhaps because it’s usually interpreted to mean that God is glad that His saints are coming home to Him. After all, didn’t Paul say to live is Christ, to die is gain? But is God really happy when His faithful ones die? Is that the message we want to send or receive as heartbroken spouses and grieving parents?
Some nuance is in order. The psalmist in the first part of Psalm 116 recounts how he cried out to God to save him from a near-death experience, and while he is grateful and exuberant in his praise, the experience itself was horrible. So, how is death “precious” or “valuable” in God’s sight?
Jesus was fiercely angry when Lazarus died. He knew that this wasn’t God’s original plan, that death resulted from sin’s corruption, not God’s intention. So He did something about it. And maybe that’s the psalmist’s point: God may not save us from dying, but He will save us from staying dead. Death is a tragic consequence of a broken world. But Jesus defeated death so that its sting is only temporary. He has the last word, and it is life for His faithful ones.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for conquering the grave so that I won’t be stuck there, apart from You, for eternity. You bring life, now and forever.
