It is Not Death to Die

The words that provide the most encouragement to me are ones that point me to the truth of God's Word.  This was especially true when my brother was killed almost five years ago.  I remember receiving the call telling me of his death, and after I hung up the phone, I immediately opened up my Bible and started flipping through the Psalms.  I was desperate for truth in the midst of a traumatic time.  As I cried over the loss of my brother, I was strengthened reading about the character of God, His promises, and the hope of heaven for those who are in Christ.

As we put together my brother's memorial service over the next few days, I came across a song by Sovereign Grace.  The words of this song were an encouragement to me as I thought about my brother's death, for they pointed me to God's truth.  Death for him meant life. 

But that isn't what we feel when we lose someone we love.  All we feel is death, and the magnitude of loss in our lives.  And so as we grieve we must cling to the truth.  Cling to the hope that is found in God's Word.  For it is only in His Word that we find the most powerful encouragement for any situation we are going through, any hurt we feel, any longing of our heart.  

Today would have been my brother's 24th birthday.  It's a sad day for us as we miss him and the joy that he brought to our lives.  So on days like today, and everyday, we remember:

"Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  1 Corinthians 15:55-57

Below I've typed out the words to the song I mentioned above, as well as a link to the recording.  May it be an encouragement to those of you who have experienced the loss of someone you love and for those who are facing the possibility of losing someone you love.  In Christ, death means life.  "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."  Philippians 1:21

It is not death to die

To leave this weary road
And join the saints who dwell on high
Who've found their home with God

It is not death to close
The eyes long dimmed by tears
And wake in joy before Your throne
Delivered from our fears

O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die

It is not death to fling
Aside this earthly dust
And rise with strong and noble wing
To live among the just

It is not death to hear
The key unlock the door
That sets us free from mortal years
To praise You evermore

O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die