Facing the Death of God’s Saints, Expecting the Joy of our Lord’s Presence!

Dear Fellow Children God, 

Last Sunday, September 15, the assigned Psalm for worship was Psalm 116:1-9.  We used this Psalm as we worshiped the Lord at First Lutheran in Gainesville.  However, many may know some other words of this Psalm.  Psalm 116:12-14, and 17-19 are used as an “Offertory” in Lutheran hymnal worship.  “What Shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me?”  (Psalm 116:12)  We sing these words of praise as the offering is brought forward and presented before our gracious God.

 

However, do you know the words of verses 15 and 16, which are not part of this liturgical worship song, the Offertory?  Listen to these words from our Lord!  “¹⁵ Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. ¹⁶ O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds.”   Most of us would not think of death a blessing.  Nevertheless, this Scripture from our Lord suggests that death is a “loosing” or releasing of our “bonds.”  Now, that is deep thought.

 

I write today’s devotion not only because the first part of Psalm 116 was assigned for use in worship last Sunday.  I write this because I am thinking recently about “the death of His saints.”  Serving as vacancy pastor at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida, we have experienced 3 deaths in the last month and a half.  A fourth member is in currently in a hospice facility.  And, a fifth “saint” has been fighting the shutting down of his kidneys.  I thank God I have had an opportunity for a pastoral visit with all of these folks before God’s blessed calling.  I am preparing for 5 funerals.  So, what do you think?  Is death, can death be, . . .  a blessing?

 

A non-believer might say simply, death can be an end to suffering.  Christian believers as well as non-believers can all agree with that assertion.

 

Yet, children of God, believers, do not seek death.  What we seek is to use this life to live for God and others.  Paul says this well in Philippians 1. “²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. ²³ I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. ²⁴ But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” (Philippians 1:21-24)  With Paul, we know that being with, living with Christ, is ultimately “far better.”  But, our Lord might still have work or service for us in this life.  So, while death may bring blessings, we still seek to live this life serving God and others.

 

In addition, the gift of eternal life is not just an escape from the pain of this life.  Eternal life with the Lord is an entry into the presence of our Lord Himself.  King David wrote in Psalm 16, not Psalm 116, about joy in the Lord’s presence. “¹⁰ For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol [the grave], or let your holy one see corruption. ¹¹ You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”  (Psalm 16:10-11) When God’s saints die, they are in the presence of the Lord, where there is “fullness of joy . . . pleasures forevermore.”

 

So, how DOES a Christian face death?  We give thanks and praise because of God’s blessings, especially in Jesus!  We do not deserve the presence of God.  Instead, because of our selfishness, and hatred, and poison tongues, and greed, and lust, and pride, because of our sin we deserve the judgment of the Almighty and Righteous God. However, in His death Jesus won forgiveness for our sin.  In His rising, Jesus defeated death.  In Jesus’ love and salvation we find reason to live and to serve in this life.  In Jesus, we look forward to life with God and the eternal fullness of joy.  God gives life in His presence to all who believe in Jesus.

 

So, as we face the five deaths, or coming deaths, in Gainesville, we acknowledge the loss suffered by their loved ones.  But, we also rejoice that they are experiencing or will experience the “fullness of joy . . . pleasures at the right hand of God forevermore.”

 

Thank you Jesus!  “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints!”

 

A Child of God, Facing the Death of God’s Saints, Expecting the Joy of our Lord’s Presence!

Pastor Rockey

 

P.S.  I am in Gainesville, Florida, again where I am serving as vacancy pastor at First Lutheran Church until they receive a permanent full-time pastor.

 

P.P.S.  NEWS AND MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT First Lutheran Church – Gainesville!

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL IS IN FULL SWING until May. Children begin in worship at 10:00 a.m..  Early in the service, after the Children’s Message, children leave for a lesson, for a craft, and a snack. 

Parents, Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts, Neighbors, PLEASE bring your children to Sunday School.

            THANK YOU Sunday School Teachers and staff!

 

WE CONTINUE TO STUDY THE BOOK OF ACTS on Sunday mornings at 8:45 a.m. in the Besalski Fellowship Hall.  If you want to read ahead, we are in chapter 26, where Paul is before the Roman governor, Festus.  Come study with us about the early church as we seek to be God’s people in today’s world.

 

COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS are now meeting on Tuesday nights in the student house at 7:00 p.m.  Come and join us!

 

WE CONTINUE TO READ THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE IN 2024 and 2025 using the Today’s Light Devotional Bible.  We are in 2 Chronicles, reading about King Hezekiah.  On Wednesday, September 18, we read 2 Chronicles 29.

Feel free to contact Pastor Rockey at 907-841-4066 if you have any questions about these readings.  Or send an e-mail question to jonrock53@mtaonline.net  I have recently received questions and comments.  It is always good to consider our Lord’s love and guidance. I will TRY to answer, but some things only God knows!

 

FIRST LUTHERAN HAS BEGUN A “RAISE THE ROOF FUND,” for roof replacement and air-conditioning repairs. The roofs are still in relatively good shape.  But we have had leaks, and it has been about 20 years since the roof was last replaced.  First Lutheran leaders want to act before the roofs fail.  In addition, our Air Conditioners are old and need replacing.   Our goal to accomplish these combined repairs is $500,000!

Please consider how God may lead you toward these needs in the future.

 

FIRST LUTHERAN IS BACK IN THE CALL PROCESS.  We have sought nominations and names of pastors who would serve the Lord and His people well at First Lutheran in Gainesville.  New names have been submitted to the Florida-Georgia District, and we are also hoping for names from District.

            PLEASE CONTINUE TO KEEP THE FIRST LUTHERAN CALL PROCESS IN YOUR PRAYERS.

 

P.P.S.  PICTURES – AND OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

 

·       Some of the Rockey family gathered in Ocala on Friday night, September 13.  Cousin, Nancy Stender’s, son Bill was in town.  Here is a picture.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/RvV6rsc8Bs2xMmQX7

 

·       I went fishing on Saturday, September 14, at a local lake.  It was a good trip.  I caught a number of fish, and kept a limit of bass.  I also saw this pretty Grass Snake.  Here are some pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/vefausKSKzUSvb5P7

 

• ·    Kathy baked these oatmeal, date, pecan, coconut cookies for College Bible Studay on Tuesday night.  😊  https://photos.app.goo.gl/m7sVgSc6uMhMWmFH6

 

• ·   I did play golf on Monday and Wednesday, but do NOT have any pictures from these poor games.  Even with a birdie in each round, my scores were not great.  ☹

 

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I retired at the end of August 2019 from serving as full-time senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, AK.  I was writing a weekly devotion previously entitled, "Thoughts from the Pastor."  When I retired many asked me to continue writing these devotions.  So I have continued writing.  However, with life's changes I now call this weekly devotion "Journeys Through Life as a Child of God."  Since I am no longer senior pastor at St. John, I felt it right to only send this message to those who asked to receive it.  (However, I am currently as Vacancy Pastor for First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL.)

        So, if you stopped receiving these devotions and wondered why, now you understand.  And, if you are now receiving these devotions and do not wish to receive them, please let me know, and I’ll gladly remove your name from my distribution list.  My e-mail address is jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

        My prayer is that these devotions help each of you in your daily walk with our Lord, Jesus.

 

                                                                        *******

Jonathan Rockey

Child of God

Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather

Vacancy Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, FL

Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church, Palmer, AK

 

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 a)