Hidden and Sheltered in Death

(This is the third of three recent posts.  See the first two here and here.) 

In reading Psalms recently, specifically Psalm 31, I’m reminded again that death is no final enemy for a Christian, a follower of Jesus. 

In Psalm 31, which Jesus quoted at the cross, David writes this: “How great is Your goodness, Which you have stored up for those who fear You, Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of men!  You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues” (vs. 19-20, NASB). 

Ask yourself, where, finally, is the secret place of God’s presence for the Christian?  Is it not on the other side of death (or of Jesus’ return), in the immediate presence of Jesus Christ, unhindered by sin?  Where is the unbreachable shelter that ultimately guards God’s people from the strife of tongues?  Is it not on the other side of Bunyan’s dark river (to borrow an image from The Pilgrim’s Progress)?  In paradise (Luke 23:43), Jesus Christ covers and protects his disciples until the time arrives for his manifest kingdom on earth.  In this place of protection, the Christian fears no conspiracy; he (or she) experiences no assault of the tongue, and all the tongue brings with it.  Death is, finally, no enemy for someone saved from death by the eternal Son of God. 

Let me offer a quick case study by considering my Dad, killed by a reckless driver in May 2020.  Since that time, think of all that Dad has been spared: the strife and governmental tyranny of the COVID era after May 2020; the nastiness of rioting in the summer of 2020; January 6, 2021, and all its fallout; the many immoral statements and actions of President Biden and Governor Newsom; the moral insanity of the California legislature; Russia’s cynical invasion of Ukraine; Hamas’ wicked assault on Israel and the tragic aftermath unfolding now…need I go on?  Of course, all these things I’ve mentioned are “large scale” matters.  I haven’t even touched the more personal difficulties Dad might have encountered, even difficult wrestling with his own sin.  For more than three years now, he’s missed it all!  He’s been covered and protected in the presence of his King, Jesus Christ. 

Indeed, death is no enemy to those for whom its stinger has been plucked out (1 Corinthians 15:56)!