O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING?

This is the true faith which interests us in, and entitles us to—Jesus Christ. And if we are in Christ while we live, we shall be with Christ when we die.  Though they depart from us—yet they go to Christ, which is far better. 

We should mourn for those who are living—yet dead in sin; and rejoice for those who are dead—yet live with Christ. Our dear departed brother had holy pangs of desire which seemed no less strong than the pangs of death. He panted after God as his ultimate and supreme desire. He did often with joy repeat the words of the text, and seemed to roll them as honey under his tongue. We may therefore entertain good hopes of him who is placed in that paradise of God, which he thirsted after. I wished him to look up to the merits of Christ. "I must," said he, "rest there or nowhere."

Oh, what a comfort is this, to think that our friends are not only taken away from the evil to come (Isaiah 57:1)—but that they are with Christ! Why should we be sad at their advancement? They have their crown (2 Timothy 4:8), their throne (Revelation 3:21), and their white robes (Revelation 7:9). Why should we weep immoderately for those who have all tears wiped from their eyes? They enter into the joy of their Lord! Why should we be swallowed up by grief for those who are swallowed up by joy! 

They who die in the Lord are not lost—but sent to heaven a little before us; we shall shortly join them. It is but a short while—and godly friends shall meet in heaven and feast together at the supper of the Lamb! (Revelation 19:9). It is but a short while—and the saints shall lie together in Christ's bosom, that hive of sweetness, that bed of perfume! "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord" (Revelation 14:13). 

Why should we mourn excessively for those who are blessed? 

Oh, let us not weep at the happiness of our friends—but rather long to depart and be with Christ, when we shall drink of these rivers of pleasures which run at His right hand forevermore! Thomas Watson

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15: 55, 57)

John G. McGrath
3/28/56 - 3/31/20