Rejoice

For those of you who know my current situation, this title probably seems very strange.  My grandpa went home to be with the Lord yesterday morning.  Even though we knew it was coming, it still came as a shock to my family and me.  However, I came across the following passage tonight and realized how badly I needed to hear it.  Philippians 4:4,7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice...And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Obviously, the circumstances make it pretty hard to rejoice.  It would be much easier to be angry or question why God would take such a faithful servant.  My grandpa was the most godly man I have ever known.  I am so thankful for the testimony of his life.  However, I am now realizing that God is working through his death too.  Seeds have been and are constantly being planted because of the life and death of my grandpa whether it be the nurses hearing the Word being read to him in the hospital and in hospice, people witnessing my family praying and being thankful to the Lord for his goodness despite the circumstances, or even the strength my grandma has shown throughout the recent weeks. 

We may never understand why God chose to bring my grandpa home when He did.  However, I refuse to question His love and His goodness.  Deuteronomy 7:9 says Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful god who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations. God is faithful in good times and bad.  Psalm 16:2 I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."