How God feels about death

We are watching the storm in Texas with interest and concern, partly because our daughter lives in San Antonio and partly because we are praying that God will rescue those who are caught in its path. We also pray that this storm will encourage those who usually ignore God to cry out to Him and find His great faithfulness and love is stronger than any big wind.

God does use weather to get our attention. We realize how helpless we are during heavy rains, battering hail, and winds that exceed all power to resist. The pictures on television show people waist-deep in muddy waters, fearful for their property and their lives. No doubt many of them are praying.

While most of us would like to separate the will of God from ‘natural disasters’ the insurance companies still call storms like this ‘acts of God’ and often will not cover them. Not every company or business thinks so harshly. The news says that two major stores in Texas are offering groceries to all who need food.

Today’s devotional reading focuses on God’s rightful justice to punish sin. I’m not quick to blame disasters like this storm as punishment for sin, but I do agree that God does not take pleasure in people dying before they have made their peace with Him. Those who do will go to a far better place, out of danger and with the Lord forever. But those who have turned away from God are in far more danger than getting wet, losing their homes, or even prematurely losing their lives.

“Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11)

In this verse, ‘death’ is not just about the physical end of life. It also refers to separation from God, a spiritual death that is caused by sin and cured by repentance and faith. Sin is powerful and is identified by a wide range of symptoms. The Bible defines it as going our own way. That can include a ‘nice’ life without any thought of God all the way to a rampage of evil that astonishes everyone who sees it. However, both ends of this broad spectrum fall into the same category; those who ignore are spiritually dead. This does not give God pleasure not does their physical death — because this ends any opportunity for them to receive the free gift of eternal life.

A well-known illustration tells of a man stranded on the roof of his house and praying for God to save him. Along came a boat; he said no. Along came a helicopter; he said no. He drowned and stood before God with the question, “Why didn’t You save me?” and God said, “I did send a boat and a helicopter.”

Perhaps we are like that man, expecting God to zap us into the safety when He has sent Christian neighbors, radio and television preachers, His Word, and a host of other messages that cry out for a response. Our vital need is to leap off the dangerous place of spiritual apathy into the safe place of recognizing and trusting Him. This is more than being rescued from rising waters, gale-force winds, and any other threats to physical well-being. It is being rescued from the very power that can destroy eternal blessing and rob us from knowing God and enjoying His presence forever.

On the other hand, God says something entirely the opposite about the end of life for those who trust Him: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15) He says this because He knows that when believers die, we are set free from the influence of all that is evil and that resists God, free to enjoy Him and be with Him and one another forever and ever!

^^^^^^^^

Jesus, Your people are seldom fearful of death. Many times we have the same attitude as You — which shows up as a delightful longing to be with You. We also feel the same way You do about death for those who are not Your people — we take no pleasure in it and long for their change of heart so that they will no longer be separated from You, either in this life of the life to come. Protect both saints and sinners in all the storms of life, including this huge one in the state of Texas.

Down-sizing the Soul

For many, it seems to be a year to down-size. Women of all ages tell me that getting rid of their excess stuff produces a sense of freedom and lightness that they never would have imagined. Unused and unwanted possessions put a burden on our lives that we don’t realize until that burden is removed.

Sin is like that. Sometimes I’m conscious of it, like when I want to control (instead of trusting God) and pile upon myself the burden of worry. I spend all my time and energy in a mental effort to change things with that burden robbing me of sleep and making me hard to live with. I’ve even toiled to gratify some sinful desire and found that my craving was left unfilled anyway, becoming another burden.

Sin can be an unconscious burden too. For years, I’ve carried frustrations that would not be there if I was obeying God. Once aware of my disobedience, these burdens morphed into guilt, also heavy.

Another weighty burden is the effort to earn God’s blessing. While I know I cannot save myself or earn my salvation, I’ve struggled with trying to please God by being or doing what I thought He wanted. I’ve even used my “good” as a bargaining chip so He would answer my prayers, piling excess responsibility on my soul. More than once, the Lord has said to me, “Get out of My to-do list.”

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28–30)

This verse brings those burdens to mind. God doesn’t want me to carry them. Instead, He explains that His load is lighter by using two words for burden. “Heavy laden” is the Greek word for cargo or shipment, while “my burden” is the word for the invoice.

One of the most challenging results of sinning is the guilt it creates. Guilt makes most people run and hide like Adam and Eve did, toiling to cover themselves and their shame. This shows an understanding of sin’s awful nature and that it deserves punishment, but it does not give the full picture. God forgives sin because of Jesus. Jesus took our punishment by experiencing the wrath of God Himself, for our sakes. Because He died, we can live.

We can also call out this good news to others who carry that same burden…

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (Revelation 22:17)

Sin, if not abandoned, will have consequences. For those who do not know Christ, it is eternal.

Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11)

For those of us who do know Christ and have His promise of eternal life, the consequences of sin are in this life. That is, sin heaps on me burdens that I cannot bear. God’s invitation for me is the same: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

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