Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

April 20– Morning

 by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“So that through death he might destroy the one who had the power of death.”.” 

—Hebrews 2:14

 

O child of God, death has lost its sting because the devil’s power over it has been destroyed; so, stop being fearful of dying. Ask grace from God the Holy Spirit as you cultivate an intimate knowledge and a firm belief of your Savior’s death and what it means to you. This is the best way to be strengthened for that solemn hour.

By living near the cross of Calvary, you can even come to 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.

The distance between glorified spirits in heaven and living saints on earth may seem great, but it really isn’t; a single moment will take us there. The sail is spread; the soul is launched upon the ocean, but it’s voyage won’t be long. Very soon it will arrive in the port of peace which knows no storm. “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” Don’t think that a long time stands between death and eternal glory. When the eyes close on earth they open in heaven.

I ask you, then, O child of God, what is there for you to fear in death, since through the death of your Lord its curse and sting are destroyed? It is now a Jacob’s ladder whose foot is in the dark grave but its top reaches to everlasting glory. [M&E]