Beloved,
Even since Tessa’s grandpa died last Tuesday, death has been up front and center. As the family grieves and prepares for the funeral, death is a reality we must stare in the face. And personally, it has been a wonderfully sobering experience, clearing away the fog of worldliness that so easily clouds my mind and heart and making me cling to “the solid joys and lasting treasure” that only the citizens of Zion know (thank you, John Newton!). It has also been a wonderfully emboldening experience, fixing my gaze upon the indomitable hope we have in Christ even in the valley of the shadow of death.
Few have articulated that courageous hope better than the seventeenth-century Christian poet, George Herbert, in his “Dialogue-Anthem. It is a poetic dialogue between the believer in Christ and death based upon 1 Corinthians 15. And it is an anthem worth singing with gusto! I leave it with you for your careful and joyful consideration.
CHRISTIAN: Alas, poor Death! Where is thy glory? Where is thy famous force, thy ancient sting?
DEATH: Alas, poor mortal, void of story! Go spell and read how I have kill’d thy King.
CHRISTIAN: Poor death! and who was hurt thereby? Thy curse being laid on him makes thee accurst.
DEATH: Let losers talk, yet thou shalt die: These arms shall crush thee.
CHRISTIAN: Spare not, do thy worst. I shall be one day better than before: Thou so much worse, that thou shalt be no more.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Nick
