The Pilgrim Path---Psalm 34: 2 – 4

My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.

Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!

I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

“…FROM ALL MY FEARS”

In the early to mid-1990’s, I had this gentleman in the second church I served---succumb to cancer. He had lived a long and productive life. He survived being a bomber pilot during the Second World War (that was a gift from God). He rose through the ranks to become a senior executive with the Allstate Insurance Corporation. He had a neat sense of humor. All the folk in the church called him “C.A.” As disease began to take its toll upon him, he said to me one day, “Some people would ask---‘why me?’ ---but I figure I’m as good a soul for cancer as any. I don’t ask that at all. I know the LORD has drawn me to Himself---and HE will eventually draw me home. I’m just trying not to embarrass HIM along the way!” He went on to tell me, “The LORD Jesus has gotten me this far---HE will help me finish up. I just want to sort things out for Jane (his wife). We’ll be fine---with HIS help.” It has always stood out in my mind that PCA pastor Steve Brown, told Chuck Colson while he was being treated for cancer---“Hey---several people on this ward are not Christians. YOU were given cancer---to show them the difference.” Well, the Holy Spirit is up to the responsibility: He can deliver. He certainly carried C. A. along…

In the LORD’S fine arranging---I was at the extended care facility with C. A. ---and his wife the morning he died. I watched him take his last few breaths in this world. Makes you re-think death… What is it---but the separation of the soul from the body. It is a glorious departure for the Follower of Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 5: 1 – 5). C. A. was not worried or troubled---bothered---or confounded. His soul was secure in Jesus the Savior. As the Puritans used to say, “take care of your soul business now---so when it comes time to die, all you have to do is die.” Ole C. A. simply went to sleep in Jesus. Absent from the body---“he was present with the LORD.” The Gospel settles matters for the people of Jesus! We who are knit to the Savior by faith---will join C. A.---in far better circumstances than we have ever known. Thanks be to God!

From Thomas Watson: If God is such an immense reward, then see how little cause the saints have to fear death. Are men afraid to receive rewards? Christians would be clothed with glory but are loath to die. They pray, “your kingdom come,” and when God is leading there, they are afraid to go. What makes us desire to stay? Is it not a valley of tears? And do we weep to leave it? Are we not in a wilderness among fiery serpents? Are we loath to leave their company? Is there a better friend we can go to than God? Are there any sweeter smiles or softer embraces than his? The pangs of death bring us to glory!

From Richard Baxter: Do Not promise yourself a long life or prosperity and great matters in the world, lest it entangles your heart with transitory things, and engages you in ambitious or covetous designs, and steals away your heart from God, and destroys all your serious apprehensions of eternity.

From John Duncan: The King of glory has conquered the king of terrors.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason