Facing the Death of God’s Saints, Expecting the Joy of our Lord’s Presence!

Last Sunday, September 15, the assigned Psalm for worship was Psalm 116:1-9. We used this Psalm as we worshiped the Lord at First Lutheran in Gainesville. However, many may know some other words of this Psalm. Psalm 116:12-14, and 17-19 are used as an “Offertory” in Lutheran hymnal worship. “What Shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me?” (Psalm 116:12) We sing these words of praise as the offering is brought forward and presented before our gracious God.

However, do you know the words of verses 15 and 16, which are not part of this liturgical worship song, the Offertory? Listen to these words from our Lord! “15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. 16 O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds.” Most of us would not think of death a blessing. Nevertheless, this Scripture from our Lord suggests that death is a “loosing” or releasing of our “bonds.” Now, that is deep thought.

I write today’s devotion not only because the first part of Psalm 116 was assigned for use in worship last Sunday. I write this because I am thinking recently about “the death of His saints.” Serving as vacancy pastor at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida, we have experienced 3 deaths in the last month and a half. A fourth member is in currently in a hospice facility. And, a fifth “saint” has been fighting the shutting down of his kidneys. I thank God I have had an opportunity for a pastoral visit with all of these folks before God’s blessed calling. I am preparing for 5 funerals. So, what do you think? Is death, can death be, . . . a blessing?

A non-believer might say simply, death can be an end to suffering. Christian believers as well as non-believers can all agree with that assertion.

Yet, children of God, believers, do not seek death. What we seek is to use this life to live for God and others. Paul says this well in Philippians 1. “21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” (Philippians 1:21-24) With Paul, we know that being with, living with Christ, is ultimately “far better.” But, our Lord might still have work or service for us in this life. So, while death may bring blessings, we still seek to live this life serving God and others.

In addition, the gift of eternal life is not just an escape from the pain of this life. Eternal life with the Lord is an entry into the presence of our Lord Himself. King David wrote in Psalm 16, not Psalm 116, about joy in the Lord’s presence. “10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol [the grave], or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:10-11) When God’s saints die, they are in the presence of the Lord, where there is “fullness of joy . . . pleasures forevermore.”

So, how DOES a Christian face death? We give thanks and praise because of God’s blessings, especially in Jesus! We do not deserve the presence of God. Instead, because of our selfishness, and hatred, and poison tongues, and greed, and lust, and pride, because of our sin we deserve the judgment of the Almighty and Righteous God. However, in His death Jesus won forgiveness for our sin. In His rising, Jesus defeated death. In Jesus’ love and salvation we find reason to live and to serve in this life. In Jesus, we look forward to life with God and the eternal fullness of joy. God gives life in His presence to all who believe in Jesus.

So, as we face the five deaths, or coming deaths, in Gainesville, we acknowledge the loss suffered by their loved ones. But, we also rejoice that they are experiencing or will experience the “fullness of joy . . . pleasures at the right hand of God forevermore.”