“Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul; which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures; which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave? Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?” (Job 3: 20-23 KJV).
When a man has suffered as Job had and wants to die, desires to die, reaches for death, and longs for the grave, why not let him die? Why prolong the life of one who no longer wanted to live?
Jesus suffered greatly during His earthly ministry. He also longed for death — “For the LORD GOD will help me . . . therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed” (Isaiah 50: 7). But He longed for death because He knew His death would have the universal and eternal purpose of redeeming the lost.
Job had previously said he wished he had died while still in his mother’s womb (3: 1-10). And then, if he had been born, he wished he had died immediately (3: 11-19). And he wishes he could die now (3: 20-26).
Obviously, Job is not afraid of death and not afraid of what waits for him in the afterlife. Job knew he was righteous, and he knew those that were righteous before God had nothing to fear of death.
I’ve met some Christians through the years who are afraid of death. I find it a strange thing for a Christian to be afraid of death, especially since we know that death is what ushers the Christian into Heaven and the very presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ, the saints of old, and the holy angels (2 Cor. 5: 8).
But why does God give “light” or all that is necessary for the continuation of life to someone who is devastated and broken and who feels that they can’t take anymore and wants to leave this world for the next so they can be at rest?
Why does the sun come up in the morning, and the birds sing from the window, and the gentle breeze blow, and the flowers give off their pleasant fragrance to the one who is suffering such heartache and the loss of so much?
It is because in the midst of our sorrow, we must keep moving forward and keep putting one foot in front of the other. We must get up and go to work and school. We must get up and go to church. We must get up and tend to the home. We must get up and mow the grass. For this trial must pass, and there is a blessing just around the bend in the road.
Though, when we suffer greatly, death is appealing and inviting. But it is only as we trust God and remain loyal to Him through our suffering that we project to the world the sustaining and keeping power of God. And like with Job, if we stay true to God in our trial, though we would welcome death, there will be a blessing around the next bend waiting for us (Job 42: 10-17).
“Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30: 5).
To Find Death
O where can death be found,
And with it sweet release,
From one’s tears and sorrows,
Where earthly struggles cease?
◊
Death is found by many,
Who’ve the world in their eye,
But seems to evade those,
Who would tell it good-bye.
◊
Death’s desired by many,
Who’ve suffered for Christ’s love,
They desire to depart,
And be with Christ above.
◊
The sufferer can’t find,
The death he longs for so.
Through which he would escape,
The constant pain below.
◊
Job wished that he had died,
Within his mother’s womb,
Than face all the sorrow,
That seemed to spell his doom.
◊
For though Job was perfect,
He still suffered great loss.
He sought rather to die,
Than carry his great cross.
◊
Job’s faith did uphold him,
And his conscience was clear,
Still he wanted to die,
Till his name God did clear.
◊
We can’t die ‘fore our time,
For God will sustain us,
Get glory to His name,
And then turn and bless us.
◊
But no one really dies,
For all are still alive.
Though the body is dead,
Somewhere the soul’s alive.
◊
Death’s a new condition,
Where we find our real selves,
An all new existence,
That we chose by ourselves.
◊
So those who look for death,
Must be ready to go,
Though there’s Heaven above,
There is a Hell below.
◊
To find death without Christ,
Is to die forever,
But to meet death with Christ,
Is to live forever.
◊
Death is the sure escape,
From all things that troubled.
To die without Christ is,
Have them more than doubled.
◊
If death should find you lost,
Death will have you still.
Throughout eternity,
Death and Hell you will feel.
◊
Find death before you die,
And find life eternal.
For in Christ we all die,
To live life supernal.
◊
For death is the usher,
That opens to that place,
Where saints look forever,
Upon their Savior’s face
James H. Cagle ©
