When Someone You Love Has Died

When Someone You Love Has Died

There have been times when those we love and care about have died.  This has happened a number of times in my life; my mother, father, uncles, aunts, cousins have left this earth.  Most recently, one of my co-workers died.

Death is a horrible thing.  Other than the Lord’s coming while we are alive, there is no escaping it; each of us will die.  The Bible says, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; …” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)

And, death does not discriminate.  A preacher once said, “The old must die; the young may die.”

“… it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement:”  (Hebrews 9:27).

Maybe you are not sure your loved one is saved; thankfully, “…the Lord knoweth them that are His.” (2 Timothy 2:19)

Even if they lived to be 120 years old, rest assured, the Spirit of God will not make a mistake in leaving someone behind who would have been saved.  Remember, God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  (2 Peter 3:9)

Assuming your loved one is saved, take comfort in knowing, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  (John 3:16)

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”  (1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18)

Yes, we grieve and sorrow when someone we love dies, but, not as others who have no hope.  (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

So, it’s not “Goodbye mother” (or father, or sister or brother or dear friend, …), but rather, “So long for now; we will see you on the other side.”

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”  (Psalm 116:15)

In the Sweet By and By

1. There’s a land that is fairer than day,
   And by faith we can see it afar;
   For the Father waits over the way
   To prepare us a dwelling place there.
   1. Refrain:
      In the sweet by and by,
      We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
      In the sweet by and by,
      We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
2. We shall sing on that beautiful shore
   The melodious songs of the blessed;
   And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
   Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.
3. To our bountiful Father above,
   We will offer our tribute of praise
   For the glorious gift of His love
   And the blessings that hallow our days. (Sanford F. Bennett; 1868)