JUNE 11
Psalm 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”
Death. We do everything we can to avoid it. In my work as a hospice chaplain, I’ve witnessed again and again how death disrupts lives and brings deep sorrow to those left behind. It is often preceded by the slow loss of health and vitality, accompanied by painful goodbyes, the letting go of freedom, the abandonment of dreams, and finally, separation from loved ones. In light of all this, how can something so painful ever be called precious?
Yet Scripture tells us, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15). What we see as a tragic ending, God sees as a sacred homecoming. For those who belong to Him, death is not a defeat—it is the triumphant passage into His eternal presence. It is precious, not because of the pain it brings, but because of the homecoming it represents. In death, the victory won at the cross meets with its triumphant intent. The God who numbers our days does not view the final one with indifference. He calls it precious.
The Apostle Paul wrestled with this reality too. Facing the possibility of death, he wrote, “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Philippians 1:23–24). To Paul, leaving this life meant being with Jesus—a far better and glorious reality. Yet he also recognized the importance of living on to serve others.
For the believer, this changes everything. Grief is still real, but it is no longer hopeless. We mourn, but not as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). When that final breath comes, it is not the end—it constitutes moving an eternal home where sorrow and pain and death and sin exist no more; a glorious transformation where our lowly bodies are transformed into conformity with Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:1, Philippians 3:21).
In moments of fear or sadness about death—whether for yourself or a loved one—remember that death for the believer is not the final chapter, but a transition into God’s eternal presence. This truth can bring peace amid grief and hope beyond loss. Consider how this hope shapes the way you live today, encouraging you to not fear death, but to trust God in his promises as you set your “mind on things above, not on things that are on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).
“For the Christian, death is the doorway to joy. It is precious because it means going home to the presence of God, where suffering and pain are no more.” — John Piper
Application Questions: How does knowing that the death of God’s saints is precious in His sight change your perspective on loss and grief? How can Paul’s perspective—that being with Jesus is very much better—help to mold your perspective as you confront the reality of death?
LookingtoJesus 