Death is inevitable for all of us, but perhaps one of the greatest tragedies is when the young die before their time. The loss of a child, a sibling, or a friend taken too soon is heartbreaking and leaves us with many unanswered questions. As Christians, we can find comfort and hope in what the Bible teaches about death, even when it comes early in life.
Key Takeaways:
- God is sovereign over life and death, and His timing is perfect even when we don’t understand it
- Death came into the world through sin, but Jesus conquered death through His resurrection
- For believers, death leads to eternal life and being in the presence of God
- God promises to be close to the families of those who die young
- We can find meaning and purpose in young lives, however brief they may be
- Heaven is a place free from suffering, and those who die are at peace in God’s presence
In this comprehensive blog post, we will explore Bible verses about death and what scripture says about God’s plan when someone’s life is cut short. We will also look at how to find hope and meaning when coping with the loss of a loved one.
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God is Sovereign Over Life and Death
One of the hardest questions we struggle with when someone dies young is “Why?” Our limited human perspective hinders our ability to fully comprehend God’s purposes and plan. Yet we can be assured that God, in His sovereignty, does not make mistakes. He knows the number of our days before one of them comes to be (Psalm 139:16). Even when death comes early, it is still within God’s perfect timing.
“My times are in your hand…” (Psalm 31:15)
God decides the day of our birth and the day of our death. He ordains all the days in between. There are no accidents or surprises to God (Acts 17:26). We may not understand why some lives are shorter than others, but we can trust the wisdom and sovereignty of our Heavenly Father.
“’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Even when the grief and sorrow seem unbearable, we can take comfort in knowing that God is all-powerful. He holds our loved ones safely in His hands.
“O LORD, you have searched me and you know me…All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:1,16)
The life and death of every person has meaning, purpose and value to God. Therefore, we should not feel the young have been robbed of purpose or that their lives were meaningless because they were short. Rather than questioning God’s timing, we can rest in the knowledge that He lovingly ordains all things for His glory and our good.
Death Entered the World Through Sin
Sickness, sorrow and death were not part of God’s perfect creation in the beginning. After Adam and Eve sinned, sin entered the world and corrupted everything in it (Genesis 3). Death became the curse for disobedience and the consequence of sin taking root in humankind.
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12)
This curse of sin and death passes down to all generations. We live in a fallen, imperfect world where decay and death are inevitable for all. Young or old, death comes for us all because “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
Why does God allow premature death and sickness if He is good? Simply put – out of His mercy. On this side of heaven, we are all infected with sin. For believers, death spares them from the continuing corruption and temptation of sin in this world. Those who die young are taken out of this harsh, sin-filled existence and ushered into God’s glorious presence. The younger one dies, the less tainted they are by sin. In His mercy, God may choose to take some home to be with Him sooner.
Jesus Conquered Death
While death entered the world through Adam’s sin, eternal life enters through Jesus Christ. This earthly life is temporary. Death, no matter when it comes, cannot separate believers from God’s love:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
Jesus defeated death and the grave once for all when He died for our sins, was buried and rose again three days later (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Because of Christ’s victory over death, we can have the assurance of eternal life with God. For those who put their faith in Jesus alone for salvation, death immediately transports them into His presence.
“Therefore we are always confident…We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:6,8)
Rather than ending our existence, death for Christians is a departure from this world into the next. The moment we draw our last breath, we take our first breath in heaven. Because Jesus lives, believers will live also (John 14:19). This truth – that our loved one who died is now safe with Christ – brings tremendous comfort and peace.
Believers Who Die Young Gain Eternal Life
Only God knows a person’s heart and if they are saved. But for those who have put their faith in Christ’s death and resurrection, we can be confident that they will go to heaven when they pass away. They gain eternal life and are ushered into God’s presence.
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.’” (John 11:25)
Our earthly years do not determine our worth. The youngest infant to the oldest adult who trusts in Jesus gains imperishable heavenly rewards.
“The gospel came not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” (1 Thessalonians 1:5)
Whether a long life of 80 years or a brief life of 8 hours, a redeemed life brings glory to God. We can find meaning in a short life knowing that, through Christ, they now have access to eternal life without end.
God Promises to Be Close to the Grieving
Losing a spouse, sibling or child is an unimaginable tragedy. Therefore God makes several promises to the families of those who die young, especially children. He draws close to those with broken hearts:
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
He promises to sustain and bless families who mourn premature death:
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families…” (Psalm 68:5-6)
God comforts and pours out His compassion on those left behind:
“The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” (Psalm 145:8-9)
Believers can cast their cares on God, knowing He weeps with us and carries our grief:
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
We can rely on the Holy Spirit to strengthen, help and uphold us in times of sorrow:
“…the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:26-27)
God is especially attentive to widows, orphans and anyone dealing with the loss of family. We are not alone in our grief. We can fully rely on our Heavenly Father for comfort, peace and strength.
Heaven Means the End of Suffering
For Christians, heaven is where Jesus is (John 14:3). It’s a place of hope and joy where God will wipe away every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4). There will be no more pain, no more crying, and no more death (Revelation 21:4). Whatever suffering our loved one endured on this earth is now vanished. Those who have died are now safe in God’s presence, free from suffering and sickness.
Paul says to die is gain, because departing this world means going to be with Christ immediately (Philippians 1:21). Given the choice, Paul longed to leave this troublesome world behind and go to heaven:
“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 1:23-34)
Knowing our loved one is joyfully worshiping Jesus brings us peace and comfort. Everything God has prepared for those in heaven is far beyond what we can begin to imagine:
“However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’—the things God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Our loved ones are not lost or wandering alone. They dwell in perfect happiness with their Heavenly Father.
God Honors All Lives, However Brief
It’s normal to look back with sadness at lost hopes and dreams after a young death. We reflect on the life they didn’t get to live. But God does not measure an individual’s worth the way we do. Every life, no matter how brief, has dignity, meaning and purpose because He created that life. Even a baby miscarried or who dies at birth has value.
They had a divine purpose known fully by God. Every life is a gift from God we should cherish:
“Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.” (Psalm 127:3)
God can work powerfully through any life surrendered to Him. Though we may have wanted more time with them to see God’s plan unfold, we can trust the will of the Lord and take joy in the days we did have together:
“You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful…” (Psalm 139:13-14)
Rather than seeing a young death as meaninglessness, we can rest knowing every life has value and purpose in Christ. Their life glorified God because it revealed His sovereignty, wisdom and goodness.
Hope Through Grief
Losing a loved one, no matter their age, is profoundly painful. But we do not need to grieve without hope. For Christians, separation by death is only temporary. We can find assurance knowing that one day we will be reunited with our loved ones through faith in Christ:
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)
God understands our sorrow better than anyone else. He will be with us in our darkest moments of grief. We can fully rely on His strength and find comfort in His presence:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
By anchoring our hope in Christ’s resurrection, we can have confident assurance of one day being reunited with believers who have gone before us. Their death is painful, but not the end. We will see them again.
Until that glorious day, we continue seeking God’s comfort, peace and understanding. We honor our loved one’s memory. We rely on our Christian community for support. And we live with hope, anticipating the joyous reunion that is to come.
Conclusion
Losing someone too early is a painful and devastating journey, especially when that person is young. I pray this overview of what scripture says about death provides some solace and reassurance. Though their time on earth was shorter than we hoped, they now experience the presence of Christ. Their life and impact had meaning. And we can hold fast to the promise that we will meet again in eternity. Until that wonderful day, may God bless and keep those who mourn.
