Precious Death 

Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of His saints.
          — Psalm 116:15

What an interesting passage; a statement that, perhaps, we might not think to make. How many people would say that the Lord views the death of His saints as something that is precious?

While it may not be the first thing that would pop into our mind when we think of death, it is a true statement. The death of a true believer is a precious thing - it is a marvellous, wondrous event. Losing a loved one is difficult, but if they were faithful followers of Christ then we can also be filled with joy.

Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
For You have delivered my soul from death,
My eyes from tears,
And my feet from falling.
          — Psalm 116:7-8

Just prior to saying that the death of a saint is precious to the Lord, the psalmist wrote of his soul returning to rest, being delivered from death. The Lord has provided us with a way to conquer death through His Son. Through the great plan of salvation we can each partake of the peace and freedom from eternal death. The Father has so richly blessed each and every one of us!

In Philippians 1:21, Paul says “to die is gain”. Paul goes on to say that he desired to depart and be with Christ (Philippians 1:23). He said that it would be far better to enter that good rest. He was anxiously awaiting the time when he could meet with our great Saviour, Jesus Christ.

We can see how the death of a believer would be a precious thing in the sight of our Lord. He is so very glad to see His children come home; for this earth is only a temporary home for us - a tent where we groan and look toward that true home, that “building from God” (2 Corinthians 5:1-2).

For the saved ones in Christ, death is an escape from the suffering of this life and the entrance to the peaceful rest that God provides. To God and to the Christian, the death of a saint is precious!

                -- John Thrower Jr.