Why was James kiIIed while Peter was saved?

Before moving forward, let’s tackle a challenging question: “Why was James kiIIed while Peter was set free?” From a human perspective, there is no clear answer to this question. (1) As humans, we always have our own set ideas about what is best, and we build our prayers based on such ideas. (a) We might think, “If God saved Peter, He could have saved James too.” (b) Or we might reason, “If James had lived longer, he could have accomplished even greater things in ministry.” However, as one serves as a pastor over many years, it becomes impossible not to wonder at the mysteries surrounding death. Regardless of faith, some people die young while others live long. There are times when spiritual leaders are called to heaven halfway of their works. (2) When it comes to the matter of death, we can only approach it from God’s perspective. (a) God sometimes works in ways that seem mysterious or even incomprehensible. However, that “incomprehensibility” is from a human perspective. (b) God’s nature is unchanging. He is always loving, just, and holy. Yet, the God we trust is not bound by what we humans consider to be “the best.” (c) When we face the mysteries of life, we must acknowledge God’s sovereignty. (d) Recognizing God’s sovereignty means believing that He leads everything toward the best outcome, even when we do not fully understand His ways. “I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, and skiIIfully formed in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my formless substance; and in Your book were written all the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts for me, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You” (Ps. 139:14-18).