“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. O LORD, truly I am Your servant . . . I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD” (Psalm 116:15, 16a-17).
Dear Praying Friends:
The LORD had evidently rescued the psalmist from death in answer to his prayer, prompting this outpouring of thanks and praise, as well as a renewed determination to continue worshiping and to fulfill all his promises to God.
Like all the psalms, this one points us to Christ, who was also surrounded by “the cords of death and the pangs [distresses] of Sheol,” was “brought low,” and whom God “saved,” "delivered his [soul from death,” and brought into “the land of the living” (116:8-9).
And it applies to all believers in Christ, whom God has raised from spiritual death and to whom he promises an eternity of bliss with him in “the land of the living.”
What is your “death” now? Maybe it’s relational, or financial; or connected to your work or health. God does indeed allow us to “find trouble and sorrow” and to be “brought low” in this life. But he assures us of the grace that is sufficient for every day (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Most of all, we know that, whatever “death” we are experiencing, it is “precious in the sight of the Lord” Jesus, (116:15) who has gone before us and who really knows.
Thank you for praying last week. God enabled me to finish this book review , the last such extensive one I plan to write, and he helped me to listen to and encourage several Chinese friends who are traversing very dark valleys of the shadow of death. Some logistical and household matters also received attention.
Amazon has selected Reaching Chinese Worldwide to be featured in their August Kindle deals. This is a monthly deal, running from August 1-31, during which this ebook will be discounted to $0.99 at all ebook retailers. You can find it here.
“Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful . . . Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you” (Psalm 116:5, 7).
Yours in his abundant grace, righteousness, and rest,
Wright