Though the mention of death usually has a sound of sadness about it, there are some truths about death that are of great comfort to the believer:
1) No man dies without the permission of God Almighty. There are no accidents with Him who holds the breath of men. Often one has brushed the gate of the grave unharmed because the express will of God was for deliverance.
2) No man can retain his life if God calls him away. “It is appointed unto man once to die” (Hebrews 9:27); “There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit, neither hath he power in the day of death” (Ecclesiastes 8:8). He who holds the keys to death, hell, and the grave rules over all.
3) No man shall ever find any comfort in death without bowing to the good pleasure of God, who does all things well. He has never performed an injustice. He is holy and just in all His ways, and His mercy endureth forever.
4) No man can direct sinners to a more sure foundation of hope than the Lord Jesus Christ. The message of God’s deliverance for sinners has always been Christ and Him crucified. This was the message (in type) of the Old Testament. Pictures of Him were set forth in the sacrifice, the tabernacle, and the law. He was the message of the Father at His own baptism. Christ Himself called all the weak and heavy laden unto His rest. The message of the Gospel of Christ is the comfort of redeemed sinners, and shall forever remain their comfort — even in the day of death.
By Marvin Stalnaker
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