“The death of His faithful ones is valuable in the Lord’s sight” (Psalm 116:15, HCSB).
We don’t like to think about death and dying and so we really don’t give it much thought…until we have to!
Death is an uncomfortable subject to discuss, and when we talk about it, we commonly use terms like “tragic” or “untimely,” which gives death an undeserved negative connotation.
To us, death is the Grim Reaper!
“The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected. A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall” (Proverbs 18:10-11, HCSB).
At first glance, you may read these consecutive verses as two individual proverbs, each having its own meaning. Upon a closer look you will see that these two proverbs are like two sides of the same coin:
two worldviews,
two ways of life,
two realities,
two choices for life!
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard onto his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon falling on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord has appointed the blessing—life forevermore” (Psalm 133, HCSB).
While it may be the gathering of God’s people at Jerusalem during one of the annual festivals that inspired the Psalmist to write this brief reflection, he assures us that God’s blessing abounds wherever brotherly love among God’s people abounds.
And what is the blessing that emanates from living in harmony with one another?
Eternal life!
“The death of His faithful ones is valuable in the Lord’s sight” (Psalm 116:15, HCSB).
While Easter is the time we celebrate the Lord’s resurrection, we are also reminded that just as Jesus died and was resurrected, the only way human beings enter into eternal life is through the death of the physical body.
The Apostle Paul said, “What you sow does not come to life unless it dies” (I Corinthians 15:36).
Now, maybe it sounds morbid to say that death is the way to eternal life, but the fact is, you have to die to live eternally. As human beings, we strive for eternal life and death and resurrection are the means through which we enter into eternal life.
Steve's Bible Meditations 