I visited with an elderly man earlier this week who recently lost his son to death.  The man who passed away was quite ill and struggled mightily before he passed.  The elderly father was, in a sense, relieved as any parent would be who watched their child suffer.  But losing him hurt very badly nonetheless.

As painful as this unfolding scene was, God gave a special measure of grace to all of the parties involved.  You see, the dying man had trusted Jesus Christ to be his Saviour and knew that a home in Heaven awaited his arrival.  He knew also that the Saviour would be there to welcome him home.  David said, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me…”  (Psalm 23:4)  In that hour of death, the Lord Jesus Christ kept His promise to walk through that valley with the dying saint of God.  But that’s not all!  The same Saviour walked the valley with those who loved the dying man.  His father and others did not have to walk the valley of suffering alone any more than the dying man walked the valley of the shadow of death alone.

Jesus has promised to “never leave or forsake” those who put their trust in Him.  (Hebrews 13:5)  He goes with us to the hospital, to the funeral home, and to the cemetery.  He never breaks His promise.  “Dying grace” is not just for the dying.  The living need it too and He gives it in abundant supply.

“Precious in the sight of The Lord are the death of his saints.”  Psalm 116:15

Pastor Mike Buckamneer