I Shall Go To Him

But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. 

II Samuel 12:23 

David had a clear and definite understanding of eternal life. In order to comfort himself regarding the death of his infant son, he uttered the words, ‘I shall go to him.’ He was clear about his anticipation that he would meet his departed son in eternity. This is certainly not the only location in Scripture where David expresses his understanding of eternal life, and of Christ’s relation to it. In Psalm 16 he remarks, ‘Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.’ In Psalm 23, which is full of references to Christ as the Shepherd of His people, David says, ‘Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.’ These passages, and others like them, indicate David’s understanding of eternal life and that Christ is the key to it. Thus, when consoling himself upon the death of his son, he could say with certainty, ‘I shall go to him.’ This is the certain expectation of all believers who suffer such loss in this scene of time. This life is not all there is. Eternity lies before us. Blessedness in that eternity is inextricably tied to the Good, Great and Chief Shepherd. Because of Him we have comfort in the thought of many joyful reunions.  

O, Great Shepherd of the Sheep, 
we rejoice that our future lies with You. 
We praise You that You will bring all of us  
together into one fold. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning