READ: Psalms 116-118
Psalm 116 has a strong theme of death. First the Psalmist describes his
situation. He feels like he is dying. He may in fact be sick and dying. We
can’t be sure what situation is causing this great deal of stress, but it was
dire enough that he was sure he’d die without the help of the Lord. Next he
talks about how the Lord saved his soul from death. He says he will walk about
in the land of the living. This is actually referring to when he will walk in
the presence of God in heaven, among the living who will never die. The death
he’s been saved from is both physical and spiritual.
Finally, he talks about God’s perspective on death. He says the death of
God’s saints is precious to Him. This doesn’t mean God is constantly on the
lookout to kill off His people, though. By no means! It simply demonstrates
God’s heart. God’s deepest longing is to be with us. This is what He
told Moses in the desert. This longing began when He had to, because of His
holiness, kick us out of the Garden of Eden. This is what He demonstrated on
the Cross. When saints (Christians) die, this is precious to God because it
means they will now be with Him forever more. To think of this longing God has
to have us join Him in heaven, puts a whole new perspective on the death of
loved ones, and on the times when our prayers for healing are not answered. It
also demonstrates even more of God’s patient, sacrificial love toward us when
He does heal, and restore, and give extended life to us on earth when His
heart’s desire is to draw us close.
The repetition in this song is hard to miss. So many lines are repeated
over and over, not just once or twice. This much repetition should make us sit
up and pay attention. First: What is so important? Second: Why was once not
enough?
The repeated phrases recount God’s incredible goodness, faithfulness and
trustworthiness. To say it once, it is possible to find a man who may come close.
To say it twice separates God from humanity, raising Him to the level of deity.
To say it three times is to say God has this quality above all other gods. This
worship song lifts the Name of God above all other creation, people, gods and
ideologies. God embodies the epitome of steadfastness, of trustworthiness,
goodness and protection. Nothing and nobody can even come close as a rival.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1.
Reflect on your own death just for a few minutes,
even if it is uncomfortable. Do you fear the process of death? Do you have
security that even if and when you die the Lord will save your soul from
eternal death? The Psalmist understands this, and so does God. Ask Him to give
you a word, thought or picture about your salvation from death. If you have
never become a Christian or received assurance of your salvation, ask the Lord
to speak to you about that right now. Tell Jesus you want His forgiveness for
your sin and commit to serve Him for the rest of your days, with Him as your
boss. Thank Him for your salvation and the promise of heaven!
2.
Ask Jesus to speak to you about how much He loves
you and how desperately He wants to spend time with you. Ask Him to speak to
you about His sacrifice to allow you to live on the earth when He so
desperately wants to live and dwell together with you face to face. Ask the
Holy Spirit to overwhelm you with His love as you think about the fact that Jesus
longs for you. Spend time worshipping
Him for His love.
3.
God’s goodness and steadfastness is above what we
can even imagine. His power, more powerful. His love, even deeper. His
protection, more secure. His goodness, perfect. Ask God to give you words and
pictures as you journal a prayer of gratitude for His ‘above all’ character.
