A Poignant Parting

It was in December 2016 I met a brother after over one and a half decade, when we had sweet time of fellowship amidst the critical health issue his wife was facing then. Eight months later, with a brother and myself, I met his wife again when she was quite normal and could sit and converse. I remember, We fellowshipped on "Calling upon the Name of the Lord." Another few months later, I could meet only the brother as her health became even more critical, she was in the ICU. As a brother I had been encouraging him to leave all to the Lord as He knows best, and just trust in Him. Often we prayed together over the phone and even arranged a fasting prayer for her health with a couple of other brothers. Only to finally learn that she went to be with the Lord. I was not very surprised though I wish her a complete recovery. I did go to meet the brother and had a word of prayer, but what else could I do? I had no words, but encouraged him to amen whatever the Lord did as He knows best. I sincerely had nothing to say, but prayed for him. When all the condolences and funeral services were over, he sent me some photos of her grave. My deep feeling before the Lord was messaged as thus. 

Dear Brother D...., 

One thing we do know amidst the multitude of mysteries, He is God and He has the supreme sovereignty over all, not excluding​ our lives. Only He knows why He did things the way He did. And, is and ever He will be who He is. He is God, and we simply say amen to all His deeds, though many times, painfully, perhaps, even with bitter tears. Despite such, we still worship Him for He is God. 

May we experience grace in hard times as this, and gain Christ. Blessed shall we be, if we are graced to trust Him, and experience Him deeply even in sickness as much in health, in poverty as much in riches, and even in death as much in living. 

Much grace to you my beloved brother. Remember, the God who takes also gives much more, in His time.

The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you. 2 Tim. 4 :22 

Let us consider the death of Rachel as well in the light of the Word. 

The Death of RachelGen. 35:16 - And they journeyed from Bethel. And while there was still some distance to come to Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth; and she had hard labor.
Gen. 35:17 - And while she was in hardest labor, the midwife said to her, Do not be afraid, for now you have another son.
Gen. 35:18 - And as her soul was departing (for she died), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin.
Gen. 35:19 - So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).
Gen. 35:20 - And Jacob set up a pillar on her grave; that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave, which is there to this day. 

Note from the Holy Bible Recovery VersionRachel was Jacob’s natural choice according to his heart’s desire (29:18-20). The death of Rachel was the loss of Jacob’s natural choice. This was a deep and personal dealing for Jacob. Jacob lost Rachel, but in the process he gained Benjamin, who was a type of Christ.

“Rachel” had to die so that “Benjamin” could be born. In the same manner, God will eventually take away our natural choice so that we may bring forth Christ for His expression. God’s goal is not to make His chosen ones suffer loss; it is to bring forth Christ through them.

It was a poignant parting, but we can learn and learn and gain Christ. I am aware over FB post that today there was a memorial meeting at his locality. Despite all the pain, parting while on earth is just a matter of time. Mostly sad, yet in the Lord, all is for good.

In fact, one night I could not sleep, and as I was praying for my dear brother, two hymns came to mind which were written based on similar poignant parting. One being, "It is Well" by Horatio Spafford and the other "Day by Day" by Carolina Sandell. The Lord gives and the Lord takes in His time. Though a poignant parting, amidst the pain, it is the Lord's pleasure to do so. And having grace and accepting the fact with thanskgiving is a blessing.