Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
In this brief passage of scripture, The Lord pronounces a blessing on those who mourn, not only because of losing a loved one, but also because of sin, which has brought death and dissolution to the human family. Every time a loved one dies, it is a stark reminder of the frailty of life, and because of this, the very experience should then move us to focus our attention on eternal realities, instead of centering our interests in the here and now, which soon fades away. When loved ones pass, it is a good time to reflect soberly on what really matters in life, and it's also a good time to reaffirm our commitment to serve God with unswerving devotion, because temporal and mundane things of this life do fade into oblivion, when compared with the glory to be revealed when Christ comes to claim His own.
The fact that God is mindful of what is passing on the earth, in the many deaths of His saints is well documented in the scriptures, and angels of God are aware of the exact location where each sleeping saint is buried. This fact is alluded to by both the Psalmist David, and the apostle Paul, when commenting on the death of the saints. Let's read:
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
1st Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
As we get closer to the end of time, deaths amongst God's people will be greatly accelerated, because the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation is just upon us, and according to the scriptures, it will be very harsh and trying on those who live to see those evil days, hence the reason why God in His mercy is now laying to rest, those who may not endure the terrible ordeal.
But what is of most importance to us is the decisions we make from day to day that will affect our eternal destiny. Where we finally end up is what will determine whether our short life on this earth was worth the living, for there are many people who spend their entire lives chasing after an illusive dream, whilst the weightier matters and eternal interests take a back seat. And so in order to bring the purpose of living into its proper context, Jesus was moved to ask one of the most important and consequential questions, pertaining to our evaluation of heavenly and earthly interests, a question whose answer must be addressed by each person sooner or later, because our answer will ultimately determine what the outcome of our lives would be. Let's read:
Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
In this life the choice is ours to serve God or to serve self, but to those who choose the former, it will soon be made plain that the best decision that can ever be made in life is to have Jesus as Savior and Lord of our lives. To who so choose will be resurrected to immortal youth and vigor, but those who choose the latter will meet with eternal loss. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which points our minds forward to that great day, when we shall see Jesus face to face with no dimming veil between, and it is the will of God that everyone will choose wisely, knowing that the time is at hand. Let's read:
1st Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
May The Lord bring us comfort and consolation as we look forward with great anticipation to the day when He will make all things new. God bless!