WHY DO YOUNG PEOPLE DIE?

My daughter Jennifer died when when she was just 14 years old. My father died in his thirties. As a former pastor, I did the funeral of a teenage church member.

Some of us have lost children and grandchildren. We have all asked the question, "Why God"? and there seem to be no answers. The death of a young person is always tragic and especially painful.

I was listening to a preacher on the radio yesterday while I was jogging and he made a statement that really blessed my heart tremendously. In fact, what he said comforted me greatly! But what comforts me might make others mad or even sadder but hopefully it will bring someone suffering some peace.

First he quoted some Scriptures that proclaim that our deaths glorify God. He mentioned the one in Psalms that says precious in the eyes of the Lord are the deaths of His saints. He mentioned the fact that Jesus told Peter that Peter's death would glorify Christ.

Then he went on to quote a missionary by the name of Jim Elliot. I'm not sure of the exact quote but it went something like this: My God is in the business of populating Heaven, and He don't want it to be just full of old folks!"

That really made me feel good! I'm not sure how true that is, but the thought of my daughter still being 14 when I get to Heaven thrills me! The thought of seeing my Dad at 38 is exciting, like in the movie "Field of Dreams"

I do know that when Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus on the mount of transfiguration, that the disciples did not ask Jesus who those two teenagers were! They knew exactly who Moses and Elijah were. Poor Lazarus recognized his earthly master instantly.

Some people believe that when a young person dies that God was taken by surprise. Some people believe that Satan is sovereign. I do not. I believe that our exact number of days has been previously determined by God, and that we will not live one moment longer or die one moment sooner. No matter the cause of death, the moment cannot be avoided.

Psalms says that our days have been written and measured. Hebrews says that we have been "appointed" once to die.

A man was asked at his darling wife's funeral if he was going to be be mad at God. He said that he would not be mad at God for three reasons:

1) He said, I wouldnt bring her back from Heaven even if I could.
2) God does not make mistakes.
3) I am going to be with her sooner or later anyway.

All believers have this blessed hope, that God has everything all worked out, and that one day, we will all be reunited on the other side. Maybe then our questions will be answered, and maybe then we will no longer care.