Precious

Few look at death as something precious. God does! Psalm 116:15 states, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Within the past week heaven must be in celebration mode. We (PennDel District) have experienced four significant losses. Bill Farrell, Ruth Weitkamp, Lois Kasparek, and Frank Linton have all been promoted to glory. We grieve for their loss. We already miss them deeply. These four have serve their Lord and our fellowship for many years. They have fought a good fight, kept the faith, finished the course. Navigating their journey has proved successful for them. These four saints have finished well. They have kept their GPS in alignment and have reached the other side.

So why does God's word refer to their deaths as "precious?" From a human perspective it is a sad time. A time of loss. From God's perspective there is fulfillment of their mission. A completion of their purpose here on earth. They have served their Lord in their generation. Now they have entered into God's presence where they no longer see through a glass darkly, but face to face. Now they know, even as they are known. Now they can enjoy God forever, without pain, sickness, sorrow, tears or grief. They have entered into the presence of their Lord and now enjoy the fulfillment of his promise in a more complete way than ever before, "I will never leave you or forsake you."

While all four of these dear people have known the Lord and served him faithfully for many years, now they know him and are reunited to him in a way they have never known before. It is precious because there is a closeness with Jesus that could not occur in this earthly life. Life is complete and eternity is open. Incredible! "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man..." but they have insight we know little about. Precious? Yes, indeed! Wonderful truth we all trust we will experience some day just as these four friends.