The Loss Of A Friend
(More Bible Studies Available @ www.marktabata.com)
Proverbs 17:17-A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
On June 25, 2017, I received word that a good friend of mine had passed away the day before. His death was very unexpected (as death usually is). We had spoken just a day or two earlier about the Bible, and a branch of science known as quantum entanglement. We loved talking about science and how God was magnified the more we learned from new discoveries. The news of his passing hit me hard. Even now, there is an ache for his laughter and the words, “Sup, dude” or, “Dude, that’s insane.”
Over the years, I have learned some powerful lessons that I want to share with you today about death. I expect that most who read these words will understand what I am saying, because many of you have also been through some difficult times. No doubt, in fact, many of you have been through harder times then I ever will, or that I can fathom! Thanks for letting me share this with you, and I am praying for all of you even as I hope that you are praying for me.
First, be thankful for and do your best to show appreciate to the people in your life that you love. Let them know! The simple truth is, life is short and we never can be certain when our journey in this world will be completed.
Job 9:25-26 (ERV)-My days are passing faster than a runner. They are flying by without any joy. 26 They go by as quickly as papyrus boats, as fast as an eagle swooping down on its prey.
Don’t take time for granted: use it wisely.
Second, don’t stay mad with your loved ones for long. One day you or they will be gone, and with that passing will also end the ability to be reconciled in this world. Plus, the anger that you had will likely either remain with you, or turn to regret. There is something especially tragic about regret that remains after the death of an estranged loved one, knowing it could possibly have been healed while they were alive. We might say, “Things could never have gotten better!” Yet isn’t one of the worst things about regret the uncertainty of that question, “What if”?
The way of Jesus is best:
Matthew 5:23-24-Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
The Bible reminds us to deal quickly with anger.
Ephesians 4:26 (TPT)-But don’t let the passion of your emotions lead you to sin! Don’t let anger control you or be fuel for revenge, not for even a day.
If your relationship cannot be healed, don’t let it be because of your unwillingness to forgive and make amends when it was in your power to do so. Regret is a terrible thing to have to live with.
Finally, be thankful to God. Everything good comes from Him and how grateful we should be. Once a young gentleman told me that he would always be angry with God because his beloved grandmother had died. After some time, I suggested to him that there was a way God could have made it so that he had never felt the pain of her death. He asked me how, and I said that God could have simply chosen not to create her. I asked him if the pain of her death was worth the joy that her life had brought to him. He thought about it and told me later that he was thankful to God for allowing that fine lady to be his grandmother, and it was better to have to deal with the pain of her passing then lose the joy of her life and love. It always comes down to whether or not we are going to be angry with God for the time we didn’t have with our loved ones, or thankful for the time that we do have with them. Instead of believing that we were cheated from more time with our loved ones by their death, perhaps we can see that we are so blessed by the time that we had with them. Add to that the blessing of knowing that if we and our loved ones were saved from sin, then we have the promise of a great reunion one day that will last for eternity!
Psalm 68:19-Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah
Isaiah 26:19-Your dead shall live; Together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; For your dew is like the dew of herbs, And the earth shall cast out the dead.
James 1:17-Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Revelation 21:4-And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Those of us left behind in the wake of death grieve, but when we are Christians, we do not sorrow as others who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Lord, thank You for loving us and for blessing us with the people in our lives that are so precious to us. Please help us not to take them for granted, and help us to heal broken relationships when it is in our power to do so. Thank You for the promise of reunion in Christ after death, and let that knowledge comfort and console us as we live as pilgrims in this world. Thank You for the cross and for the victory in Your resurrection from death. We give You all the praise, all the glory, and all the honor. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain! Amen.