This week a dear brother in Christ went home to be with the Lord. He was also my brother here on earth and how I rejoice that he was both. Though his home going was not unexpected, yet it seems so sudden. Sudden to us, but not to the Lord. Psalm 139:16 tells us, "Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Thy book they were all written, The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them."

This verse has always been a comfort to me when a Believer leaves the confines of his earthly temple. It is not one moment before nor one moment after God's appointed time! We know so well Psalm 139 and the intimacy that God has with each of us. Therefore, do not think it strange that the Psalmist has come to the conclusion of verse 16. For God is the all knowing; Omniscient One!

I have not been able to worship with my brother for a long time since he lived on the east coast, but today I will be able to do so. As the second verse and chorus of a song we sing in our Fellowship says:

"The Lord is in His Holy Temple,
And we are in His presence now.
The ones who've gone before have gathered, As one before the throne we bow.
Chorus:
Singing Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Singing Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia."

In Psalm 116:15 we see that,
"Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of His saints."

Concerning the death of Believers, Scripture tells us:
"Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" "Yes," says the Spirit, 'that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." Revelations 14:13

The Believer's life is the Lord's whether we live or die:
"For if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's." Philippians 1:21

If you have not read Psalm 139 recently, to do so will bless your heart at God's overwhelming intimate love and care for us. How blessed are the people whose God is the Lord; blessed are they who trust in Him!

Let us join with the Psalmist and sing praises to our God.
"Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
Praise the name of the Lord
From this time forth and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its going down The Lord's name is to be praised." Psalm 113:1-3 Amen