Monday, June 1, 2009

To live is Christ, to die is gain

My dear Grandma died about an hour ago. In her last hours, I was at Bible study reading these words:
"We will say (to the dying), ... "Trust in God, because whether you live by faith or die by faith God will take care of those who trust in him. To live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Phil 1:21)
And ultimately, it is God, and not we, who decides when and how we die. He has his purposes. They are hidden from us. And faith means, we believe they are good. " from a sermon by John Piper.
I wanted to tell Grandma, but I knew she was not able to talk on the phone any more, so I prayed "God, please speak these comforting words to her now, since I cannot."

She is glorified now. Free from pain and sin and death! She is in the presence of our great and beautiful and glorious God, worshiping Him! She entered into His presence with Christ advocating for her "She is mine! I bought her with my blood!" So God looked on her with favor, with delight and said "well done, good a faithful servant."

And we are left to mourn. But... "not as those who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Glory to my loving God. He is sovereign. He is good.