God is different from man, though many fail to realize that.

God is God. He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. The way man thinks and does is not the way God works.

The prophet Isaiah wrote, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8, 9).

One must learn to study and apply God’s word to their lives. The Apostle Peter wrote, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (I Peter 2:2). Desiring the word is something that should be a way of life.

When death occurs in a family or to a friend, many try to make explanations based on what they think rather than what God tells man in his word.

If man had his way, many people would suffer when there would be no need.

God said, “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10).

Those who fail to trust in God find this time difficult, while Christians realize the departed one if a Christian had gone to a place far better.

When death comes, one should look to God for comfort. Paul wrote, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

“For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ” (2 Cor. 1:3-5).

Christians left behind have assurance that God keeps his promises, and those who are obedient to him will be saved.

Those who fail to see the need to obey God will be lost.

God is just in his dealings with man. God created man with the ability to choose whether to follow God or to ignore him.

Joshua spoke of this: “... choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15).

God has supplied all man needs to make the right choice. He gave the only sacrifice that could be given for man (Christ), God has given his word so that everyone can know what is expected of them.

The reason behind all this is God’s love and care for mankind.

God gave his Son for man’s salvation. God allowed his Son to be crucified (Acts 2:23, 24).

Two verses most are familiar with tell of God’s love: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16, 17).

God wants all to be saved, but it is up to the individual to make the decision to obey God. God’s word teaches the necessity of faith, but not faith alone (James 2:1719).

Man must be willing to change his life or to repent, to confess that Jesus is the Son of God and then to be baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of sins.