Embracing death, Ecc 3:2
Here a flag, there a flag, everywhere a flag, flag. Red, white and blue flags galore are being raised, carried, planted, and painted everywhere on this Memorial Day weekend. From parades to grave sites, old glory stands upright and as beautiful as the very day she was raised. And rightfully so! She waves proudly to the world representing a land and people where freedom is riveted in this country from sea to shining sea. Wherever we see her, we are reminded that freedom never comes without a price to pay. The cost is staggering—untold millions who gave their lives that others may live, the ultimate sacrifice. We stand with hands over our hearts, a three pointed finger salute over the right eye, hats are removed, and with deep reverence and respect to those who voluntarily and willingly lost their lives stepping to the front line taking killer fire.
Whether on the battle field or the corn field, life is composed of happiness and sorrow; victory and failure; and living and dying. A brief span of time which is but a vapor that appeareth for a little while and then quickly vanishes away. It is still interesting as you read the indelible dates of one’s birth and death on a tombstone is separated only by a little hyphen! Both the rich and the poor, the ignorant and the intelligent, the bond and the free all have time and are regulated by time. To those of us who have been born, there awaits a time for all of us to die. When the time to die has come, nothing can stop it. At that moment, the time line will have been crossed and eternity will begin with no end. Death is but a heart beat away—embrace it! I believe in “death-bed religion”, but I would never encourage any to wait on it. Most die like they live, however there are few exceptions like the thief on the cross who died at the 11th hour. God will give you space to repent, to set your house in order, and make final your preparations. Don’t leave this world till you have embraced death!
It is appointed for men once to die. Methuselah died at 969 years old, David’s illegitimate child died at birth, I will die, and even if you hold your breath, you likewise will die also. There is no one today who does not know someone who has died. This week, my heart has been broken over the death of my pastor, Dr. Jerry Falwell—whose home going was Tuesday, May 14th. Even at this hour, I’m in a state of mourning. Brace yourself for this happening, for it is on the list of things we all have to do. If I knew where I was going to die, I most likely would not go there. Dr. B.R. Lakin said: “Don’t stay in bed too long, it is the most dangerous place to be, more people die there than any other place”! But take heart as you embrace death, death to the believer is a quiet, long awaited, and comfortable time. When that happens, we will awake in glory in a land where we will never die. Hallelujah!
As much as we would like to we can not take another’s death. It is, “Yea, though I (alone) walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil”. Why, “For thou are with me”. When it’s time to die, we welcome it as finishing our race with dying grace. Both the fear of death and the pain (sting) of death has been removed. The grave has been defeated and Jesus is standing welcoming us home!
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