Michael Billings was a passionate and gifted brother who passed into eternity much earlier that we preferred and our hearts hurt for the loss. Yet we know for certain that God is all wise.  Michael used his time well while on this earth and had burnings in his soul for God that amazed all of us and inspired us to "excel still more."

 

Doug Phillips has posted many comments regarding this young man here,

 

Here are my final remarks to family and friends at the grave side service attempting to answer the question, "What does this grave mean?

 

 Michael Billings Graveside Service

What does this casket and this grave mean?  To help us answer this question, I want to lay down eight mental monuments around this grave,

First, That God is sovereign over all things, and that no one leaves this earth early or late and that all of these departures are expressions of His kind providence. God gave Michael as son and a friend for a season and now He has taken him to Himself. Job said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21

Second, that this world is not our home, and that Michael will be welcomed to his heavenly home by his Savior who said, ”Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:21

Third, It is a marker of sweet and pleasant memories of a dear brother who loved Christ and who also loved us and we say these words, “…we give thanks to God always for you, remembering your work of faith, labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Thess 1:2-3

Fourth, it is a marker to everlasting rest, for Michael is now experiencing the saints everlasting rest. It is a wonderful rest, but as Richard Baxter said, “it is a rest without rest, for “They do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come.” Revelation 4:8

Fifth, It is a marker of a life well lived, and the joy of  confidence in our hearts that our Lord has said to Michael,  'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' Matthew 25:21

Sixth, It is a marker for resurrection, as we all proclaim along with Job who said,  “For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;  And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God,  Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!.” Job 19:25-27

Seventh, It is a marker of the shortness of life, and how appropriate it is to long, saying  "Lord, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.  Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah  Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them.” Psalm 39:4-6

Eighth, It is a marker of victory over death, for “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.  For "He has put all things under His feet."1 Corinthians 15:26

These are the markers that explain this grave and this casket which carries the body of Michael G. Billings,

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all”

Amen