"Do the Good Die Young

or
Do They Live a Long Life?"

"WITH LONG LIFE WILL I SATISFY HIM, and shew him my salvation". Psalm 91:16 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

"THE RIGHTEOUS PASS AWAY; THE GODLY OFTEN DIE BEFORE THEIR TIME. And no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that GOD IS PROTECTING THEM FROM THE EVIL TO COME". Isaiah 57:1 NLT (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

THIS WAS A CASE OF THE DEVIL SNATCHING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE BEFORE THEY COULD FULFILL THEIR DESTINIES

As a general rule, godly people can claim the promise of a long life. And, as time goes by, we will be seeing more people live extended lives. But, at times, there are exceptions to that rule. Usually, when a family suffers the loss of a loved one at a young age, because of a lack of knowledge that God had another plan, those who are left behind do not understand why it happened. Five of the siblings of my mother and her twin sister passed from this life at young ages, including both parents. This was a case of the devil snatching the lives of people before they could fulfill their destinies. The twins broke the curse of that vicious cycle, and lived well into their nineties.

NOW, THE QUESTION IS, "WHILE MY PARENTS LIVED TO RIPE OLD AGES, AND I AM LIVING A LONG LIFE, DID MY BROTHER, WHO LEFT THIS LIFE AT A YOUNG AGE, DIE OUT OF THE WILL OF GOD?"

My father did not go home to Heaven until he was in his mid-nineties. Recently, when the devil tried to take me out, and the attending medical team concluded, "We have done all we can", I chose to rebuke death, and chose "to live and declare the works of the Lord". But my only other sibling, Melvin, died after preaching 202 sermons, two weeks before his 23rd birthday. Now, the question is, "While my parents lived to ripe old ages, and I am living a long life, did my brother, who left this life at a young age, die out of the will of God?"

WE ARE PLAINLY TOLD BY ISAIAH THAT, "THE RIGHTEOUS PASS AWAY; THE GODLY DIE BEFORE THEIR TIME"

Yes, it is possible for a person to "cut his own life short" by being disobedient to the Lord. Right now, this is not the issue before us. I am talking about absolutely sold-out people to Christ and His cause, who are walking in the perfect center of His will, and are doing all the right things commanded by the Scripture. When they die young, did they miss out, and do something wrong? Not according to the Word of God. We are plainly told by Isaiah that, "The righteous pass away; the godly often die before their time". When this happens, people do not understand, and either question God, or the person who has passed away as "having a lack of faith".

HE WHO SEES THE END FROM THE BEGINNING IS BEING COMPASSIONATE IN SPARING THE PERSON IN QUESTION FROM TERRIBLE TRAGEDIES WHICH LIE AHEAD

The prophet dispels the myths surrounding this subject. What is the reason believers sometimes die before they have lived a full life? "God is protecting them from the evil to come", Isaiah wrote. Because God is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance", He Who sees the end from the beginning is being compassionate in sparing the person in question from terrible tragedies which lie ahead. Because of His great love, He takes the individual home right at the zenith of his life. For us left behind it is a time of sorrow, but for the one taken home early it is an act of mercy by an all-knowing God.

I RECEIVED HIS MANTLE AND CONTINUE TO DO HIS WORK, AS WELL AS MINE

Melvin's ministry did not stop at his homegoing. Over 3,000 youth signed his book, pledging to do the work of God on his behalf. Some of them became missionaries to Africa, pastors, evangelists, and did mighty works for God, accomplishing much more than Melvin could have done by himself if he had continued to live. I received his mantle and continue to do His work, as well as mine.

AS A RESULT, I HAVE CONNECTIONS BOTH HERE AND THERE. THE SAME CAN BE TRUE FOR YOU

Yes, because of negative thinking and lack of knowledge people can die "before their time". But, there are others who have followed all the rules, and believed all the promises, and still died without living a full life. Melvin, along with my parents, are part of "the cloud of witnesses" spoken of in Hebrews 11, cheering me on in this race here on Earth, and are receiving my prayer requests, escorted by the angels to the throne of God, and are rejoicing as the answers to these petitions are being sent back by God Almighty. I do not fully understand it, but I believe that he has been given special assignments. As a result, I have connections both here and there. The same can be true for you.