Scratchy Sheets

 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15 

 

I have this thing about the way things feel. I want to be comfortable all the time — think blue jeans and a sweat shirt on cool days of Fall. This includes when I sleep. I can’t rest in scratchy pajamas or on scratchy sheets. (Is this too much information?)  

How much money have I wasted on cheap sheets?  Several years ago I was looking for sheets for the bed and I was trying to find the perfect deal. I wanted them to be both inexpensive and have a high thread count so they would be smooth and not pill in the wash. My husband pointed out to me that it might be worth paying the higher price for the better sheets to get what I wanted, “After all,” he pointed out, “you spend one third of your life on those sheets.”  

I recently attended a Bible class with someone very close to me. I was told that this was a Bible-believing teacher, using the scriptures, and a very encouraging class for those taking it. It is designed to help those who are ill or hurting find comfort and a place of healing.  

But, while there I felt like I was lying on scratchy sheets.  

The teacher was trying to convey that it is not God’s intention that people should die young. Her conclusion then was that “the Devil takes us out prematurely.” Can this be? Who is it that numbers our days? (Exodus 23:26; Job 14:5; Psalm 139:16) 

Scratchy sheets are not bad sheets – they just aren’t good sheets. They make me uncomfortable, like this class.  I have been ruminating on much of what was taught there, trying to pin down exactly what was rubbing me the wrong way. This is it: they did not exalt the Lord God above all else. They gave too much power to Satan.  

This morning I was studying Ephesians 1. In verses 19-22 Paul tells the Ephesians about their great hope and the essence of their inheritance in Christ, “what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,  far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”  Christ is head over every power and authority, now and forever.  

The Truth is that when God created man He created us to live forever. When Adam fell, sin entered the world, and so did death. It is true that it is not God’s desire that any of us should perish, but ultimately, we will all die as part of the curse of sin. (Genesis 3:18) 

Now Paul knew that death is an enemy that will be destroyed at last (1 Corinthians 15:26).  But as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, he (Paul) also knew that to die was gain (Philippians 1:21).  Living or dying — either way — Christ is honored by believers and proclaimers of Him. 

I am comfortable with a powerful God who has placed His own Son above all rule, powers, and authorities. As believers in the One who is Head over all of those powers and authorities, we can rest in His plan of salvation. We need to pray for protection from evil recognizing that only God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, in the power of His Holy Spirit, can provide that protection.  

I cannot rest on the scratchy sheets of teaching that ascribes too much power to Satan. God is the All mighty, Most High God. There is no one who has sovereignty over whether we live or die but Him. That knowledge provides the smoothest of all sheets to rest on.   

All things work together for good to those who love the Lord. And for Him, Precious in His sight is even the death of His saints.