Does God answer requests to die?
Question:
I have a question for you. When someone prays for death does God ever answer that prayer? I have had so many health issues and depression that I want to die and go to heaven. I have asked God to take me peacefully in my sleep. I'm still here and I don't know why. I feel like I have been left to suffer.
Answer:
Unless the Lord returns soon, every one of us will eventually die. It is the way of this world. "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).
There have been those who have asked God to leave this world soon. "Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for, that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut me off! Then I would still have this consolation -- my joy in unrelenting pain -- that I had not denied the words of the Holy One. What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze?" (Job 6:8-12). Job didn't understand why he was facing so much misery, nor did he think he could endure it further. Yet, there was a purpose behind Job's suffering that Job was not aware of.
Toward the end of the book, God speaks to Job and asks him a series of questions that pointed out to Job just how little he knew about the world he lived in. His demands of God were out of place because Job was not in control.
"Then the LORD said to Job, "Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it." Then Job answered the LORD and said, "Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth. Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; Even twice, and I will add nothing more." Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm and said, "Now gird up your loins like a man; I will ask you, and you instruct Me. Will you really annul My judgment? Will you condemn Me that you may be justified?" " (Job 40:1-7).
"Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 'Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.' I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You; therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:1-6).
God is well aware of each of our lives. He knows that we are frail beings. "For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer" (Psalms 103:14-16). Even a long life in our view is very brief and so while you are wondering why you are still here, it sounds like the child in a car asking "Are we there yet?"
When you leave the world is up to God. Leave it in His hands. Meanwhile, there are things you need to do in service to God. After our work is done, then comes our rest.
