Death always forces us to face the fact of our own mortality; it punctuates the transience of life. A 100-year-old man named Harold complained, "Life seems short." Harold realized, "No one can live forever; all will die. No one can escape the power of the grave" (Psalm 89:48). For so many people, death is the final terror.
Yet, believers, who are the thankful recipients of Christ's resurrection victory, have the perfect assurance that death is no longer a terror. Our Good Shepherd is always with us, accompanying us every step of the way, even to the very doorway of eternity. We can confidently say, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me" (Psalm 23:4a, NASB).
The Lord, who has comforted, strengthened, protected and upheld us with His strong promises all throughout our lives will not forsake His children at the time of death. He walks us all the way into eternity—and nothing, not even death, will separate us from Him.
The Bible declares that God actually sees the home-coming of His children as a precious moment, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones" (Psalm 116:15, NASB).
"God is glorified when His people leave this world with their flags flying at full mast. If anyone should die triumphantly it should be believers. When the Holy Spirit triumphs over our flesh, when the world is consciously and gladly left behind for heaven, when there is anticipation and glory in our eyes as we enter into the presence of the Lord, our dying is pleasing to the Lord." (John MacArthur)