A long life can certainly be a blessing. For those who die far earlier than we think they should, the heartache of loss is compounded exponentially. Recently, a young man died in his twenties. He was loved by so many, known for his faith and integrity. He was strong and healthy-looking, just at the beginning of manhood. Yet God called him home.

God is never short-sighted—including the timing of our passing. Our death will not be untimely or accidental. Death is not purposeless. 

Job spoke to God: “You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer” (Job 14:5).

Even as I write this morning, loyal followers of God are experiencing great persecution. Untold numbers have been put to death by the Islamist cult in nations like Nigeria. The Prophet Isaiah wrote about the faithful remnant in his day who were also being persecuted. Some were being killed. But the world failed to understand that those who worshipped God were not perishing. They were entering peace and unbroken rest. And God deliberately spared some the burden of trouble that would be more than they could bear (Isaiah 57:1-2). 

The day we step into eternity and experience immortality in His glory-presence, we will experience full peace and rest. As Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” 

We are blessed in death! The death of Jesus was love’s crowning act. His resurrection brought victory over the power of the grave and over Satan’s works of darkness. In the end, Jesus will destroy death.

Our prayer is that God will fulfill His purposes in us for our generation. Though we go through adversity, He is gracious to us and has mercy on us. May we have ears to hear and a willingness to be taught divine guidance (Isaiah 30:18-21). We will be able to let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we fall into.

We will be able to run this race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us. May we be fully engaged in “such a time as this,” while keeping our gaze fixed on the invisible realm and our Homecoming.