https://odb.org/2026/10/21/grace-in-grief
Job 1:13–22 (NIV) – One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
The world watched the news in horror as the sightseeing helicopter flying over the river tore into pieces. As the main rotor and tail broke off, the cabin plunged into the waters below, with the pilot and a family of five trapped inside. Just days after the tragedy that had taken the lives of his sister, brother-in-law, niece, and two nephews, the brother was at the site honoring his loved ones. “They left together,” he said. Life can change in a moment, leaving us reeling from loss we can’t explain. (Nancy Gavilanes, Our Daily Bread 21st October 2026)
Amid Job’s extreme pain, his words reflected a worshipful understanding of the sovereignty of God (Job 1:21). The psalmist also recognized God’s power and authority and said, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2). Believers in Jesus find the same comfort knowing that God controls all things, and nothing happens apart from His eternal gaze. The apostle Paul celebrated God’s sovereignty with these words: “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever!” (Romans 11:35). (Arthur Jackson, Insight, Our Daily Bread 21st October 2026)
I just attended the wake of my cousin last Sunday evening. He is my age. His passing was sudden and unexpected. My auntie, his mother, told us that he was working in his room last Thursday, and didn’t come down for dinner. His daughter then went up to call him and found that he was already cold and stiff. No outward signs but in the autopsy (a legal requirement as he died at home, not in a hospital undergoing treatment), the pathologist found that he had massive internal bleeding. His internal condition was so bad that he was cremated before the funeral. His mother said that he had never had a medical examination or health screening before and thus if he was afflicted with any medical condition, he was unaware. But she did mention that he was recently losing weight and didn’t have much appetite.
Indeed, life can change in a moment. Someone we interacted so intensely yesterday may be gone today. I’ve experienced the passing of both my parents and I know that once anyone has passed, we need to live life without them. They no longer partake in the affairs of the living. The time we had with them before remain as memories – that will fade with time. Life goes on as the living need to continue living; just without those who had departed. That’s a fact of life.
Treasure those who are still with us as life can change in a moment. I realise that as I grow older, I will see more and more people of my age depart. It’s a rigour of life that we don’t live forever. Although our modern life expectancy has increased over the years, people still succumb to illnesses and die younger than the average life span of around 80 nowadays. So spend time with our parents if they are still alive. Do things together. Go for trips. Create lasting memories while we still can.
As believers we know that with our two births, we will only die once. Jesus promised that even if we were to die, we will still live. John 11:25 NKJV – “I am the resurrection and the Life. He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live“. We have the hope of glory in Christ Jesus, in the eternal life He promised that one day we will see our loved ones who died in Christ again. It will be in a very different context although we will eventually settle in the new heaven and new earth, here on this same earth in Eden Recreated.
Life may indeed change in a moment. Live fully for God and His purposes while we still can! Amen! Hallelujah!
