Recently, a godly wife, mother, and servant in our church, Kathy Bowers, finished the race and went home to be with her Savior. More than 500 people gathered to remember how God had been glorified in her life, and now through her death, after a long bout with cancer. Although death seems to have won at this time, death does not have the last word for those who belong to Jesus Christ. At the beginning of the memorial service, I had the opportunity to sing this song. I adapted it from a poem by George Bethune.
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, King of grace
You bore the cross in our place
Though we suffer for a time
We will reign with you on high
And 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 temporal years to praise you evermore.
O Jesus, King of grace
You bore the cross in our place
Though we suffer for a time
We will reign with you on high
And it is not death to die.
Copyright 2006 Sovereign Grace Praise.
May each of us who know the Savior live with the confident joy that this life is only the beginning of a better life yet to come, gained for us through the glorious redeeming work of Jesus.
Bob,
Welcome back! Hope you and your wife enjoyed a great time of celebration of your anniversary while you were away.
Thanks for the encouraging words. This song would be so appropriate for the Christian’s funeral. I heard John Piper say that he prefers preaching at funerals rather than weddings, not because he doesn’t like weddings, but because, while Christian weddings can be mixed with temporal joys, funerals bring into focus so much more clearly the reality of the Christian’s union with Christ. It really is a unique opportunity to encourage believers and challenge unbelievers.
Is this song available to listen to somewhere?
Wow! What powerful words those are. We have just recently lost my brother-in-law, and this song sums up exactly what we as a family feel. Thank-you for sharing this with us.
Dawn
AMAZING SONG!!!
My Dad was a Chaplain in the Air Force who also said he’d MUCH rather preach at funerals than weddings because at funerals at least the people were listening!
My Grandfather just died this past Friday, these are words of comfort from above. Thank you for using your talents to heal and bless those that are suffering!