“The death of His faithful ones is valuable in the Lord’s sight” (Psalm 116:15)
Not everyone has the opportunity, privilege or responsibility to become famous! In fact, most of us share a bit of anonymity except with those who exist in our own small world of influence, and that’s ok, isn’t it?
Our Lord didn’t put us here to become great, mighty or powerful in some way or another, except for those few He would choose to lead His nation of people. But our Lord has given each one of us the great and honorable privilege of honoring and glorifying Him by and through the lives we live on a daily basis.
Death is not a pleasant subject to bring up for the most part. We shy away from speaking about it, we choose so often not to even think about it, especially when it comes to our own lives or those we love and cherish so much. Nevertheless, death is as much a part of life as any other component! The Bible teaches with great clarity of the certainty of death, except for those who will be found living when the Lord returns (Hebrews 9:27; 1 Corinthians 15:51). The uncertainty as to its arrival emphasizes the need to always live in a way as to be prepared for its coming! The young may think they have all the time in the world while the older ones know they have more years behind them than in front of them! But it will come!
The Bible tells us how God, who put all of this in place to begin with, views our death and it is truly an interesting contrast. For those who have chosen to devote their lives to obeying, serving and please Him it is viewed by the Lord as a beautiful event. You see one of His people in whom He has found delight in life and living has now passed from this earthly life to the next! But for those who have chosen not to serve and obey Him, God says”… I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked …” We must always be reminded of the truth that God does not see things as they might appear to us (1 Samuel 15:7). We look, generally, at the outward form and appearance of things, but God discerns their innermost substance and reality! We see things as they appear and those things can be proper, right and good, but God sees everything as it stands in the eternal order, therefore when one of His saints, children by faith and obedience to Jesus Christ, passes from this life, it is viewed by Him as a precious moment!
One of those faithful and godly ones has passed from this life this week. My wife’s mother and my mother-in-law, Gaye Pauline Rose, has gone to her reward following a life of faithful service to the Lord! Allow me to share with you just a few of the many wonderful and admirable things she did in her 94+ years of life.
She was a faithful Christian and soldier in the Lord’s army for 77 years!!! That’s right … 77 years!
- She kept countless preachers and their families during area gospel meetings and always had a prepared meal … and I do mean prepared meal … every Sunday for any visitors to services!
- Her influence on others to serve the Lord was great and far-reaching. She was always inviting others to services and to study from God’s Word! You see, she truly cared for the souls of men beginning with her own family!
- When her eyesight had almost disappeared, she listened to the Bible being read on tape and went through the Bible three times in one year!
- Speaking of family, she was one of 9 children and the daughter of an old-time gospel preacher who proclaimed the gospel in the mountains and valleys of West Virginia! She had 8 children, 16 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren! One of her grandsons will be preaching her funeral sermon!
- Gaye Pauline Rose was a good woman in every respect!
There is so much more that could be shared about this great woman, but the take-away from her life and from this blog post is this: Each one of us has the opportunity to leave a good legacy when we leave this world and the only way that can happen is when we choose to put the Lord first in everything we think, do and say. We must understand that there will be no second chances to make changes in our lives or attitudes or relationships, only in the here and now! Help us Lord to want to die the death of the righteous, the godly, and the faithful! Mrs. Rose you are already missed!
“Let me die the death of the upright, and let my end be like his!” (Numbers 23:10)
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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