April 20, Morning
C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling
"That through death He might destroy him that had the power of death." — Hebrews 2:14 · KJV
O child of God, death has lost its sting, because the devil's power over it is destroyed. Then cease to fear dying. Ask grace from God the Holy Spirit, that by an intimate knowledge and a firm belief of your Redeemer's death you may be strengthened for that dread hour. Living near the cross of Calvary, you may think of death with pleasure, and welcome it, when it comes, with intense delight. It is sweet to die in the Lord; it is a covenant-blessing to sleep in Jesus. Death is no longer banishment; it is a return from exile, a going home to the many mansions where the loved ones already dwell. The distance between glorified spirits in heaven and militant saints on earth seems great, but it is not so. We are not far from home — a moment will bring us there. The sail is spread, the soul is launched on the deep. How long will the voyage be? How many weary winds must beat on the sail before it is reefed in the port of peace? How long shall the soul be tossed on the waves before it comes to that sea which knows no storm? Listen to the answer: "Absent from the body, present with the Lord." Yonder ship has just departed, but it is already at its haven. It did but spread its sail, and it was there. Like that ship of old on the Lake of Galilee, a storm had tossed it; but Jesus said, "Peace, be still," and immediately it came to land. Think not that a long period intervenes between the instant of death and the eternity of glory. When the eyes close on earth, they open in heaven. The horses of fire are not an instant on the road. Then, O child of God, what is there for you to fear in death, seeing that through the death of your Lord its curse and sting are destroyed? Now it is but a Jacob's ladder, whose foot is in the dark grave, but whose top reaches to glory everlasting.