Funeral Sermon: WHEN GOOD PEOPLE DIE YOUNG

Funeral Sermon: WHEN GOOD PEOPLE DIE YOUNG

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Isaiah 57:1-2 (KJV)
The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

INTRODUCTION:
The death of a young person, especially one who is good, righteous, and full of promise, is often a deeply painful experience for family, friends, and the community. It raises questions about why such a loss occurs and why it happens to those who seem most deserving of life. In moments like these, it can be easy to feel as though life is unfair or that God has forgotten us. Yet, the Bible reminds us that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His understanding far surpasses our own (Isaiah 55:8-9).

The prophet Isaiah speaks to a truth that may seem difficult to grasp: sometimes, the righteous are taken away early, but they are spared from the evil to come. Though we mourn their loss, we can find comfort in knowing that, in God's eyes, their passing is not a tragedy but a merciful act. They are at peace with the Lord, resting in His presence, free from the struggles of this world. As we reflect on the untimely death of a good person, let us remember that their departure is not in vain, and God has a purpose that is beyond our understanding.

Let us hold onto hope, knowing that the righteous are in the hands of a loving God, and their legacy remains in the lives they touched and the example they set.

1. GOD'S UNDERSTANDING OF DEATH IS DIFFERENT FROM OURS
Though it may seem like a tragedy when good people die young, we must trust that God’s perspective on death is different from ours.

a) God knows the beginning from the end. He is not bound by time as we are, and He knows when each person’s life should end to fulfill His divine plan (Psalm 139:16).

b) Our human understanding is limited. We cannot always comprehend why a good person is taken early, but God sees the bigger picture (Proverbs 3:5-6).

c) God’s timing is always perfect. He allows life and death to happen according to His wisdom, even if it is beyond our comprehension (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

d) Death, even of the righteous, is part of God’s sovereign will. We are all part of His plan, and death is not an accident but part of His divine purpose (Romans 8:28).

Biblical Example: When the prophet Elijah was taken up to heaven, he did not experience a natural death, showing that sometimes God calls His faithful ones early (2 Kings 2:11).

God's understanding of death is beyond ours, and we must trust in His infinite wisdom and perfect timing.

2. THE RIGHTEOUS ARE SPARED FROM THE EVIL TO COME
Isaiah speaks of the righteous being taken away from the evil to come, indicating that God sometimes calls good people home to protect them from suffering or the future troubles of this world.

a) God protects His faithful servants. Sometimes, God takes His righteous ones early to spare them from the pain, heartache, or turmoil that would come in their future (Psalm 116:15).

b) The righteous are at peace with the Lord. Their departure is not a punishment, but a peaceful transition to rest in God’s presence (Isaiah 57:2).

c) Death for the righteous is a merciful act of deliverance. In a fallen world filled with pain and sorrow, God sometimes calls His beloved home to prevent further suffering (Revelation 14:13).

d) The righteous are in God’s hands. We may not understand it now, but the righteous are never far from God’s loving care, even in death (Psalm 73:24).

Biblical Example: Enoch walked with God, and he was taken away early to avoid the corruption of the world (Genesis 5:24).

God’s mercy in taking the righteous early is a reflection of His love and care, sparing them from the trials that may lie ahead.

3. GOD GIVES PEACE TO THE RIGHTEOUS IN DEATH
The righteous who die young enter into the peace of the Lord, where they find rest from the troubles of this world.

a) Death is a rest for the weary. Those who have labored and fought the good fight of faith will enter into God’s rest, where there is no more pain or sorrow (Hebrews 4:9-10).

b) The peace of God surpasses all understanding. For those who die in Christ, they enter into a peace that transcends the pain and sorrow of this life (Philippians 4:7).

c) Peace comes from being in God’s presence. In death, the righteous are in the immediate presence of God, which is the ultimate peace (Psalm 16:11).

d) The peace of death is a gift from God. We can trust that God gives His righteous ones peace as they depart from this world (John 14:27).

Biblical Example: When Stephen was stoned, he looked up and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at His right hand, showing that death for the righteous brings peace in God’s presence (Acts 7:55-56).

Death is not something to fear for the righteous, for it ushers them into God’s eternal peace and rest.

4. THE IMPACT OF A GOOD LIFE IS NEVER LOST
Though the good person may die young, their legacy remains in the lives they touched and the example they set.

a) A righteous life leaves a lasting legacy. The example of a good life does not end with death but continues to inspire and influence others (Proverbs 4:18).

b) God honors the lives of the righteous. Even in death, God uses their example to encourage and uplift others (Matthew 5:14-16).

c) The memory of the righteous is a blessing. Their lives, lived in service to God, continue to be a blessing to those who knew them (Proverbs 10:7).

d) The righteous bear fruit even after death. The good works they did and the love they shared live on in the lives of others (John 15:16).

Biblical Example: When King David died, his life of faith, courage, and worship continued to inspire future generations, and his legacy remains to this day (Acts 13:36).

Even in death, the impact of a good and righteous life continues to bear fruit and bring glory to God.

5. WE CAN TRUST IN GOD'S PURPOSE EVEN IN LOSS
Though we may struggle to understand why good people die young, we must trust that God’s purposes are greater than our understanding and that He is always at work, even in the midst of loss.

a) God has a divine purpose for every life. Every life, no matter how short, is part of God's perfect plan (Jeremiah 29:11).

b) Our faith in God’s sovereignty helps us endure loss. Trusting that God knows what is best for His children helps us find peace in the midst of sorrow (Romans 8:28).

c) God's plan includes both life and death. We may not understand the reasons for a young life being taken, but we can trust that God is in control (Psalm 139:16).

d) We are to live each day with purpose, knowing that our lives are in God's hands. Even when death comes unexpectedly, we can trust that God has used the life of the departed to fulfill His purpose (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Biblical Example: Joseph’s life, though filled with suffering and loss, was ultimately used by God to save his family and a nation (Genesis 50:20).

We can trust in God’s purposes and have faith that He is at work, even in the face of loss.

CONCLUSION:
The untimely death of a good person is a deep sorrow, but as believers, we have the comfort of knowing that God’s ways are higher than ours. Though we may not understand why a righteous person is taken early, we can trust that they are in the presence of the Lord, at peace, and spared from the evil to come. Their legacy lives on in the lives they touched, and we can find hope in the assurance that God has a purpose in everything, even in death. Let us mourn with hope, knowing that the righteous are never lost but are safe in God’s loving arms.

PRAYER POINTS:

1.  Lord, comfort my heart in the loss of my loved one and help me trust in Your perfect plan.

2.  Father, help me to find peace in Your sovereignty and trust that You are always at work, even in the midst of sorrow.

3.  Let the life and legacy of the righteous continue to inspire me to live a life pleasing to You.

4.  Father, strengthen my faith and help me to mourn with hope, knowing that my loved one is at peace with You.

5.  Lord, help me to honor the memory of the righteous by living a life that brings You glory.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:

1.  Your grief will not overwhelm you; you will find peace in the knowledge that your loved one is resting in the arms of the Lord.

2.  The legacy of the righteous will continue to inspire and bear fruit in your life.

3.  God will use this loss for His greater purpose and bring comfort to your heart.

4.  The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in this time of grief.