Biblical Answer

Understanding God's Sovereignty and the Death of a Loved One

The question of why God let a loved one die is one that many people struggle with. It's a question that can lead to feelings of anger, confusion, and even despair. However, as followers of Christ, we must approach this question with a biblical perspective. According to the Bible, God is the supreme ruler of the universe, and He owns us as our Maker and Owner (Psalm 24:1, Psalm 100:3). As our Judge, He has the right to dispose of us as He sees fit (Romans 11:36).

In the case of a loved one's death, it's essential to understand that God's sovereignty is not about Him being a cruel or heartless God. Rather, it's about His love and mercy being greater than our understanding. Just as God reached down to rescue us from our mess, not because we deserved it but because He loved us (John 3:16), He may have allowed our loved one's death to help us depend on Him more than we might otherwise. This is not to say that God caused the death, but rather that He is sovereign over all things, including death (Psalm 90:12, Job 1:21).

In the midst of our grief, it's easy to cry out, "Why, God, why?" But the Bible teaches us that God's reasons for allowing our loved one's death may not be our reasons. Our loved one's death may be a result of their own choices and actions, rather than God's direct intervention. As the Bible says, "The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil" (Proverbs 16:4). We must trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, even when we don't understand. We must also remember that our loved one's death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new life with God, where they will be free from pain and suffering (2 Corinthians 5:8). May we find comfort in God's love and sovereignty, even in the midst of our greatest losses.